Ethan, the son of Spar Girona’s French escort, was born on February 19 at Trueta. The player has already started rehabilitation to return to the courts, although no return date has been set. In this interview, he reviews how he has experienced the whole process and highlights the support the club has given him.
How is she now that she has been a mother for four months?
I am OK! At first I felt tired, but now I’m fine. I am happy with this baby.
Is being a mother what you imagined?
It’s something new for me! I had no idea what it meant to be a mother, but it’s a really good feeling. It is very special to love someone as deeply as a mother loves her child.
How is he doing physically, has he started preparing to play again next season with Spar Girona?
I still can’t do much at the moment. Just bike and something gym, some weights…can’t jump yet. I am starting a rehabilitation process to be ready, before I start running I have to go through this. I have started to prepare. Now I still don’t know when I will be able to play again, when I will be ready. Maybe in September, maybe in November… I don’t know yet. It’s a process. When it’s ready, I’ll play again.
Is it easier or harder for a professional athlete to be a mother?
I don’t know if I can say if it’s easy or not. What I can say is that it’s something new, that I have to learn to do, to be a mother and also to compete again at the highest level as a professional athlete. I think the process will be long but it is not impossible.
Is maternity leave well regulated in the case of elite athletes?
For me, there is a difference between Spain and France. When you have a child, the Federation and Social Security already know how the process will be and it is easy for the player not to have to worry. But I hear it’s a little different here. I think things have to change because we are women first and maybe during our sports career we want to be mothers. It is important to have the support of the Federation and the clubs.
Are clubs and federations sensitive to maternity?
I think that many players are worried when it comes to telling clubs that they are pregnant, because then the club has to find a substitute. But it’s the same as if a player gets injured. Why shouldn’t it be the same with motherhood? Beyond that, however, I think that the clubs are sensitive to this situation.
She informed the club and her teammates of her pregnancy last August. How did he live those days?
As I told him before, we are all scared when we tell the club that we are pregnant. Even if it’s a good thing for us as women because we’re going to have a child, maybe that’s not a good thing for them. I have been lucky and have had Uni’s support at all times. When I told the club they took it well and have been by my side all these months, during the pregnancy and when I had Ethan.
Why are they afraid to announce a pregnancy?
Because of what I was saying before, because they will have to find another player and not all clubs accept that. This situation, the right to be pregnant, should be normal because we are women and during our sports career many of us want to be mothers.
You had a contract with Spar Girona for two more years. She suffered because of her situation, did she consider retiring from basketball to become a mother?
I never thought I would stop playing after having my son. I am now 33 years old and I still have a career ahead of me. I take it as a challenge: I want to play again after this whole process, after pregnancy and being a mother. I was never afraid that another player could take my place at Uni, because even if I hadn’t continued at Girona, I would have found another team.
I understand that she would like Ethan, her son, to see her play at the elite level.
Yes of course! Even if it is very small, I would like this to be part of his memories.
Can you be a mother and an elite athlete?
Yes it is possible. I’m not the only one, I’m not the first elite athlete to be a mother. I wish there were more female players who went through maternity too because this has to change. I hope more basketball players will be mothers soon.
In the Uni locker room until now the only mother was Labuckiene. Has anyone spoken?
During the season I talked a little about motherhood. It’s been a while now.
When you have to travel for Uni matches, will you be able to take Ethan with you? How do you think about this aspect?
I do not know. Maybe during the pre-season I’ll try to take it with me, because the trips are close to Girona, but during the season, no. We will have to travel to other countries, get up early… and that would be too much for the child. Ethan doesn’t need that, now.
Ethan is another Girona. Why did you decide to have it in Girona?
Why I am in love with this city and this country. I’ve been here all season, the club supported me, and here in Girona I had everything I needed.
Who did she talk to, who helped her, during all these months of pregnancy?
Throughout the season I had the support of the Uni medical staff, Laia (Palau) and all the people in the office and the club. It was easy for me the whole pregnancy process, and now these first months of motherhood. My teammates were also always there for me, even though I didn’t see them much during my pregnancy.
What are your goals when you play again?
For me the key will be to get back to the same level as before the pregnancy. If I can be better, perfect. That would be my first goal.
Do you think about the selection?
(River). I would never say no to them! I’m waiting for the call to tell me that they have me.
The season was very complicated due to injuries and results that were not as expected. How did he live it?
This season has been very tough, for the team, the club and the fans. We didn’t get the results we expected. At the beginning of the season we won the Super Cup, it was a good thing, but then we lost a lot of other competitions. I wished with all my might that maybe at the end of the season I could come back to help the team, I just thought about it, even though I knew it was impossible because I had to go through a recovery process. I’m sad about the season too because we’ve had a lot of injuries.
What did you miss about basketball?
I missed the game, stepping on the court, fighting every game, being in front of the fans, feeling the warmth of the people of Girona. I missed the competition and the fans.
He imagines his first match a Fontajauwhen will you come back?
I think about it often. I don’t know what the return day will be like, but it will be very emotional for sure.
Left Bernard Canutei Laura Craving she will be the new coach. New pieces have arrived and references like Araújo have been lost. What do you think of the team?
We will have a very good team. The players we have signed are very good. I know how they play and sharing a dressing room with them will be positive, very talented girls like Regan Magarity or Sandra Ygueravide will come. There is a very good team and next season will be very good. We also have good shooters. And I will work hard to be able to return and make many triples in Fontajau.
2023-06-28 15:42:44
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