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Groundbreaking return to play journey explored in new RugbyPass TV documentary
By Grant Constable
When it comes to professional rugby, Dave Ward knows his fair share about the challenges that come with it. One he certainly never had to face though, was having a baby mid-career.
As head of Bristol Bears Women’s team, Ward is now in the fairly unique position of being both husband and coach to a player, with his wife being second row Abbie Ward.
In the new documentary, Abbie Ward: Bump in the Road, we get fascinating insight into the relationship dynamic between the Wards in the final stages of pregnancy, as well as get to see how the England Women’s second row took on the goal of having a baby and returning to rugby training just 3 months later.
“I’ve never seen anyone go through pregnancy and training,” says Abbie. “It seems to be only recently that you’re seeing athletes do it.”
Due to a new maternity policy launched by the RFU in 2023, female players can have their maternity period supported with 26 weeks full pay.
“Abbie was the first player to utilise the RFU’s new policy and it must have been added pressure for her to be the first player to show that it works and she could return to play,” said Director Sue Anstiss MBE.
Abbie didn’t want to stop rugby to have a family, and due to the policy, she didn’t have to. She wanted to return to rugby, and get the England jersey, as soon as possible.
“We always had a very difficult position as physios, we had to often put the reigns on these players. You just have to make sure they don’t get carried away,” said Kate Tyler, England and Bristol Bears physio.
“Historically, there’s always been that elephant in the room in that you play up until the point that you want a family, and if you want a family, that’s kind of your retirement.
“It gives these players a choice that you can still continue your career and you can still be a mum and you can be great at both of those things.”
The man in charge of making the first team selection, should Abbie get back to full fitness in time, is none other than her husband, Dave.
She wants to be the best second row in the world. She wants to win World Cups and Premierships with Bristol, but also wants to be a world class mum. The challenge is, can you be both? This new documentary explores that concept.
Watch the full documentary on RugbyPass TV
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Before Schmidt came along I think its fair to say that nobody and I mean nobody had faith in the Australian domestic system and its ability to churn out players of test quality. Faced with Zero player depth, no distinct style of play, very few working combinations, an inexperienced team and a player and brain drain from Aussie rugby I think everyone believed Joe Schmidt was on a hiding to nothing. 12 tests later the Wallabies have a distinct style of play, working combinations across the park, are slowly building that player depth and have significantly enhanced their stock of good test quality players. Its taken alot of learnings but the project has rapidly surged forward in the last 2 months. What an upward trajectory its been. Before the Northern tour began many said 1 win would be enough to consider it a success. Well they have 2 and were in the contest against a determined Scottish team away from home. They never once shrunk and fought till the end. I also think about those 18 debutants you have mentioned. Imagine the benefit for them and for their Super Rugby franchises with them having now been exposed to a strong systems, with them having now been exposed to the learnings that only international rugby can bring. Imagine the confidence they can take back now into Super Rugby and also the knowledge now of what they have to do to reach that next level knowing its not beyond them. For too long during the Jones Era a sense of hopelessness pervaded the entire Australian set up both domestic and International. So many players saw their dreams fade into dust and others saw their futures evaporate while some became so disillusioned they turned to League. Now Schmidt has brought back hope and has given these lads a sense of purpose. Its almost as though rain has come after a long drought. Lets hope these shoots of green grow tall.
Go to commentsFolau made the abc community cry foul for sharing his beliefs . But what did he actually do wrong ? . Nothing , that’s why Folau won in court and the Australian rugby union had to pay him 4 million I think it was .
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