Diamonds star Gretel Bueta signs on for DrinkWise campaign as part of FASD education campaign

Diamonds star Gretel Bueta’s possible return to the sport is no closer as she focuses on enjoying life as a mother of two. She speaks to EMMA GREENWOOD about becoming a Drinkwise ambassador.

Netball star Gretel Bueta is yet to make a decision on her playing future, content to spend time with new son Toby as she enjoys life as a mother of two.

Bueta, who missed the Diamonds’ recent World Cup win in South Africa while on maternity leave, gave birth to son Toby just days after her teammates won gold — a second child for Bueta and husband Niko and brother for Bobby.

After a miscarriage last year, Bueta was thrilled to add a happy, healthy baby to her family.

Diamonds netball star Gretel Bueta with new baby Toby, husband Niko and son Bobby, 2, is the new face of the DrinkWise campaign.

“You definitely squeeze them a little bit tighter and just the support from the whole community has just been incredible throughout the whole journey,” she said of Toby, who was born a bouncing 4.2kg.

Being grateful for the health of her family is part of the reason Bueta jumped at the chance to partner with DrinkWise to raise awareness of the importance of abstaining from alcohol when planning a pregnancy, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ahead of International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder awareness day on 9 September, Bueta spoke of importance of education around FASD and the fact that it was 100 per cent preventable.

“I understood the importance of not drinking during my pregnancy, however, when DrinkWise came on board and I learnt more about FASD, it reaffirmed my decision,” Bueta said.

Gretel Bueta of Team Australia poses for a photo with their son Bobby during the Netball Medal Ceremony on day ten of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo: Getty Images

“I think if more women can have access to education around the implications of FASD, it will just reaffirm what they’re doing is right in abstaining from alcohol. It’s such an important message and that’s why I’m so happy to be a part of something like this.”

Bueta, who is back living on the Gold Coast with her young family after a stint in Brisbane, said her decision not to drink had great support from Niko.

“He’s been incredible throughout the whole journey but especially when I fell pregnant with Toby, he actually went off alcohol for half of my pregnancy with me, which made it a lot easier and I just felt very well supported,” she said of her husband, who only came off the wagon when a groomsman at a mate’s wedding.

Diamonds netball star Gretel Bueta with new baby Toby, husband Niko and son Bobby, 2, is the new face of the DrinkWise campaign.

Given she is breastfeeding, Bueta is still not drinking but happy to be in “motherhood mode”.

“It’s important in all three stages - when you’re preparing for pregnancy, while pregnant and also on your breastfeeding journey as well. I’ve got a lot of supportive friends and when we go there’s not many of us drinking at the moment because we’re all in that stage of life where we’re either planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding, so gone are the day when we’d have a few drinks, it’s very much motherhood mode at the moment.”

Originally published as Diamonds star Gretel Bueta signs on for DrinkWise campaign as part of FASD education campaign