Super Netball: Giants mum Bec Bulley proud of the trail she’s blazed
WHEN trailblazing Super Netball mum Bec Bulley came out of retirement she was focused on not embarrassing herself. Now she’s proud of the role she played in showing that it can be done.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Swifts could boast more international talent if they stick together
- Magpies Swift to end rivals dream
WHEN Giants veteran Bec Bulley came out of retirement to be the first mother to play in Super Netball she admits her No.1 thing priority was not embarrassing herself.
Now, almost two years on, the former Australian defender and netball pioneer has realised the role she played in showing other athletes — and coaches — it can be achieved.
Bulley said she was thrilled to see Renae Ingles named in the Diamonds squad last Sunday after coming out of retirement less than two months ago to rejoin Super Netball.
GOOD SHAPE: Diamonds will survive talent drain
GIANT WIN: Vixens streak ended in Super Netball
“A mother of twins no less. I don’t know how she does it,” laughed Bulley, mother to two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Indie.
“This is just amazing.
“The coaches in the past were a little wary of selecting players with extra baggage but I think me, Laura Geitz and Renae Ingles have shown it can be done.
“I am really proud the mums are doing a great job. It’s fantastic for other sports as well to see that it can be done.
“I don’t think I realised at the time the effect. I was more worried about embarrassing myself.
“Looking back now I feel it have set a precedent and that’s wonderful.”
MATILDAS TEEN: Has world at her feet
GRAND WIN: Amanda Spratt creates history
A groundbreaking parental care policy was introduced at the start of the competition in 2017. This provides an allowance for players with babies under 12 months to travel with a carer at the club’s expense, private health insurance and income protection for up to two years in the event of injury or pregnancy.
Bulley, 35, admits a second retirement could be looming at the end of the Giants season because she is keen to extend her family.
But as yet, Bulley says she has not made a final decision on her elite netball career.
“I wasn’t ever considering coming back and here I am,” Bulley said ahead of GWS’s crucial away match against the Melbourne Vixens.
SURF’S UP: For new mum Bethany Hamilton
“I am still loving playing netball. I feel so fortunate to still be involved so I am really not sure.
“It is really tough to think about life after netball right now. I don’t want to think about it yet.”
Uppermost on her mind is being part of a Giants team which goes one better than its runner-up position in last year’s league.
And crucial to this is the Giants beating the Vixens in Melbourne and retaking a top two spot on the league ladder.
“It’s very important because after the loss against the Firebirds last week we dropped back to third,” Bulley said.
“We want that second spot back with three games to go. We want a home final so we have to be top two.
“If we win the next three game there is even a chance we could finish first.”