'Rugby gives me a really empowering outlet after becoming a mum'

'Most people I knew would stop rugby after a baby'

1 hour ago Share Save Harriet Robinson BBC News, West of England Share Save

Trish Brown Trish Brown got back on the pitch six months after her son was born

A global community of rugby players, who are also mothers, have come together to support each other through parenthood. Mums who Play Rugby was co-founded by Bath Ladies player Trish Brown after she struggled with maintaining such a physical hobby while having a young son. "I think when I found out I was pregnant I cried," she said. "It was quite overwhelming." More than 600 people from across the UK, and as far away as the Philippines and New Zealand, have now joined her online community and they are putting a team into their first tournament later this month.

"We're really excited. There's just been a real galvanisation of really good energy of lots of people wanting to see mums succeed in playing a brilliant, physical sport as well as juggling being a parent," said Ms Brown.

When Ms Brown found out she was pregnant her team had just won the league

"I'd never really thought in too much detail what would happen after I got pregnant, after I had a baby," said the front row forward. "Most of the people that I knew, if they had a baby they would then just stop playing." Ms Brown continued training up until she gave birth to her son and returned to the pitch six months after he was born. But it was a big change. "Logistics are really hard," she said, remembering sometimes having to breastfeed her son during games. "The sleep deprivation's really hard," she added. "That's the same for any parent. It's tricky then balancing that with quite a physical hobby. "But I wouldn't change anything because it's such a release for me to be able to go and do something with my body that's really empowering after I've had a baby."

Some of the members brought their children to train with them in Bath

Ms Brown was inspired to set up the group on Facebook after hearing about professional players Abbie Ward and Vickii Cornborough having children and getting back on the pitch. It quickly grew its members, with people sharing experiences and challenges of being a rugby-playing mum, including childcare, affording membership and the lack of clear information around postpartum recovery and return to play. Though Ms Brown said a recent toolkit by the Rugby Football Union was useful for providing some of this information.

Samantha Castley-MacDonald moved from Canada to the UK to teach and play rugby

"I think I was one of the first people to join [the group]," said Samantha Castley-MacDonald, who lives in Trowbridge. "Every time I go on it's like 'welcome to these 50 new mums in the group'," she added. While her wife gave up the sport after giving birth to their daughter, Ms Castley-MacDonald said she continued playing while juggling childcare, work and rugby. "Playing for the Championship One Division we travel really far for our matches," she said, explaining she could be out of the house for 12 hours on a Sunday. "But it's important for me I have that thing that makes me me. "It's just really great to see how many women are prioritising themselves and getting out and being social and being fit and just doing things that are great for them."

Jade Hutton said it was amazing to find other like-minded mums via the group

Jade Hutton, from Yate, has also played rugby for most of her life, including in the Army. After taking a break while she had children, she is now back on the pitch. "Being pregnant and going through everything is such a daunting experience," she said, adding that groups like Mums who play rugby were "so important". "You can't beat rugby family. My team, the girls, have done immense [things] for my mental health, everything," she said. Natalia Reilly, from Bristol, who has an adult daughter, only got into rugby six months ago, but also loves the community. She said: "I think a lot of mums... they're not sure whether they're too old, too young, whether their bodies are right for rugby." Ms Reilly said the group was "amazing" to show women they will always be welcome, adding rugby was the most inclusive and supportive sport she had ever taken up.

Trish Brown Ms Brown continued to train while pregnant

The group has now formed a team called the MaaMaas, as a nod to the better known BaaBaas [The Barbarians], and will enter their first invitational tournament at Yeovil on 30 August. A crowdfunding page has also been set up by the group to help support mums with the costs associated with rugby. Meanwhile, the group continues to attract rugby playing mums from around the world. "It's quite exciting because one day, when we go on a world tour, we'll have lots of places to choose from," added Ms Brown.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

Click here to read article