Netball star Gretel Bueta shares grief after suffering a miscarriage

Queensland netball star Gretel Bueta – who is a pioneer for female athletes combining motherhood and elite sport – has shared her grief after suffering a miscarriage.

Australian netball star Gretel Bueta has shared heartbreaking news that she has suffered a miscarriage.

Bueta, 29, who is a pioneer for female athletes combining motherhood and elite sport, returned to the game just four months after giving birth to her son Bobby in early 2021.

Widely regarded as among netball’s best players, the star shooter dominated in her return, starring for the Queensland Firebirds – often with a beaming Bobby on her hip post game – and leading the Australian Diamonds to a gold medal win at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Firebirds star Gretel Bueta pictured with husband Niko and son Bobby. Picture: Lachie Millard

In early October she announced that she and husband, Niko Bueta, were expecting their second child, doing so early in her pregnancy to explain her absence from the Diamonds during the Constellation Cup series that month, as well as the 2023 Super Netball season.

Sadly, she has since experienced a miscarriage late in her first trimester, and has been coping with the loss home in Brisbane alongside Niko and Bobby, now 22 months.

“It is with deep sadness that Niko and I confirm that I have experienced a miscarriage,” Bueta said.

Gretel Bueta poses for a photo with her son Bobby during the Netball Medal Ceremony on day ten of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

“I understood I was announcing a bit early, and the risks associated. I did not want to let teammates down, nor train and play pregnant and be at my absolute best physically and mentally. It was a tricky time. I am confident I would do the same again.

“It has been a really difficult time. I have been through a whirlwind of emotions, cried a lot, but thrilled to have Niko and Bobby by my side every inch of the way.

“We know this is something that many women and families have gone through. Our hearts go out to everyone who has had this experience, you are all so incredibly strong.”

Gretel Bueta pictured with son Bobby. Picture: Lachie Millard

Bueta has informed her Queensland and Australian teammates and has been met with an outpouring of support from the netball community.

Her experience through pregnancy and loss highlights the continued difficulty for female athletes in combining elite sport with fertility and motherhood, not wanting to compromise her family life and health nor her performance in the team.

Queensland Firebirds coach Bec Bulley said the club was “simply devastated to hear the news regarding Gretel’s pregnancy”.

“As members of our Purple Family, Gretel, Niko and Bobby will always have our complete love and support,” Bulley said. “All of us at the Queensland Firebirds are here for them and our hearts are with them right now.”

Growing up on the Gold Coast, Bueta had dreamt of both being a professional athlete and having a family.

Her journey in becoming a mother at the height of her career and success since returning to the sport has continued to embolden the pathway for other women in sport.

For support around miscarriage, contact SANDS on 1300 072 637.