NRLW star Corban Baxter back for Sydney Roosters just four months after giving birth
NSW and Jillaroos star Corban Baxter is allowing just four months between giving birth and playing professional contact sport - this is how she’s making the stunning transition a reality.
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Corban Baxter is tough, but this is next level.
Just four months after giving birth to her son Beauden on January 14, Baxter is preparing to make her NRLW return for the Sydney Roosters when the competition kicks off in July.
The Roosters premiership-winner, NSW and Jillaroos star is yet to be officially cleared by her women’s health physio, but she’s on the verge of a remarkable recovery by the time the pre-season starts on May 29.
All along she had a quick return mapped out, and so far everything has gone to plan.
She spent a month post-partum in her newborn bubble, before transitioning into light weights and running with the guidance of exercise physiologist Justin Lang, while working on her pelvic floor strength too.
Baxter didn’t want to miss any more time than was necessary from the game that she loves.
“I missed being on the field and getting into my competitive side,” she says.
“I love to be working towards something so I made it a priority to take it easy and enjoy what I was going through, but I had my time period laid out with how I wanted to attack getting prepared for pre-season.
“That’s what makes me happy and keeps me mentally safe as well.
“There’s still some nerves around if I’m going to be fit enough, if I’ll still be good enough and whatnot, but I’m lucky to have very good support.”
Baxter missed the second half of the rugby league season in 2022, including NRLW games, State of Origin and the Rugby League World Cup, but worked as a coach at the Roosters.
However, she says decisions around when to start or expand a family are crucial for female athletes.
“It’s even still a battle now, I’ve got two kids and I go back and forth if I want any more,” she says.
“I would definitely love another one but it is about the timing.
“I was 100 per cent ready for Beaudy and sacrificing a year was well worth it, but there’s plenty of girls my age playing in their prime, but they’re also talking about starting a family.
“You can see the game moving towards professionalism, you’ve done the hard work and helped build the game and then you’ve got to leave for a year or two to have a baby, and it’s not easy.”
Baxter says the NRL’s new pregnancy policy will make it easier on players to make these decisions about their bodies, careers and families.
It will allow maternity leave, contract security and safe jobs for pregnant women, as well as funding for carers to travel, allowing the players to have their small children close – an important one for women who are still breastfeeding.
“The game of rugby league hasn’t really seen anything like this but it’s a good start,” Baxter says.
“The fact that the option is there to bring my husband and Beaudy, that’s a huge positive and something that has eased my mind a little bit.
“It gives you some reassurance that you’ve got that contract in place, you don’t have to worry about falling pregnant and not being able to fulfil your contracted agreement, and you’ve got a bit of support.”
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