Four-time Olympian basketballer Laura Hodges embraces becoming a mother to Ava and keeps an eye on her return to the Lightning
FOUR-TIME Olympian and Adelaide Lightning star Laura Hodges has welcomed a baby girl, Ava. And while she’s loving motherhood, she’s also looking forward to a basketball comeback.
GIVING birth was the relatively easy part. Next up for Laura Hodges comes the challenge of regaining fitness and getting back into the Adelaide Lightning’s starting line-up.
And by taking inspiration from the likes of close friend Renae Ingles — who this year returned to elite netball with the Melbourne Vixens after having twins — Hodges is confident of making a return to her successful basketball career.
The four-time Olympian, Opals and Lightning star gave birth to her daughter Ava Mirella on October 15 and has been revelling in the heady early days of motherhood.
“She’s probably going to be a giant, so we gave her a short name,” the 34-year-old said with a laugh.
“So far she has been a dream and we’ve been really enjoying her and all those nice mummy moments.”
Born at 3.5kg at 38 weeks in Ashford Hospital, Ava is something of a blessing for Hodges and her husband Tim, after a struggle with fertility that included accessing specialist treatment through Adelaide Obstetrics and Fertility.
“We’re absolutely over the moon,” Hodges said.
“As a female athlete, you want to be able to do what you love and you see so many athletes who do fall pregnant while they’re playing,” she said.
“But for us, it was a bit of a struggle and I was wondering whether I was doing the right thing in still playing, but I know I was … it would have been really sad giving it up and not having something that I’ve been doing for the last 18 years.
“As an elite athlete, you know you can still do it at that level, but it comes to a point where you don’t want to miss out on having a family and you don’t want to leave it too late.
“I’m 34 and I could play for another four years, I’m just hoping that things go well with Ava and I’ll be able to get back into it and be able to play again.”
She is starting her comeback with pilates and small exercises.
“My goal is to try and play next season — 2019/20,” she said.
And for inspiration, she’s calling on role models — tennis superstar Serena Williams, Adelaide basketballer Rachel Sporn as well as Ingles — who have all returned to the top level of their sports after giving birth.
“It’s not going to be easy, but I’m really excited to see how the journey unfolds,” Hodges said.
“Hopefully I’ll get to play again and Ava can be super proud of her mum.”
Ava’s birth has been a joy for the basketballer and her architect husband, after they almost lost their house in a fire before Christmas last year and Hodges had suffered a significant injury to her finger requiring surgery.
