How Serena Williams inspired AFLW supermum Daisy Pearce
After a year off with twins Sylvie and Roy, Melbourne’s inaugural AFLW captain Daisy Pearce is fit and firing ahead of her return to footy, revealing the sportswomen who inspired her journey back to AFLW.
Fiona Byrne
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AFLW star Daisy Pearce has paid tribute to tennis great Serena Williams and US basketball player DeWanna Bonner, citing them as inspiration for her return to elite football following the birth of her twins.
Pearce, who was last week named captain of Melbourne’s AFLW team for 2020, said the example set by supermum Williams and Bonner, who had twins in 2017, helped push her on during times when she doubted if she could juggle family and footy.
“Serena recently won her first title since becoming a mum and DeWanna Bonner had twins and made the WNBA All Star team in 2018 basically on their first birthday. Because of the twin factor I read a lot into her story. I do use those stories to push me along. It is definitely inspiring,” Pearce said.
“But there are lots of other examples around the world of women who are amazing and have achieved great things post having babies I certainly don’t feel I am the only person that has set big goals or aimed to achieve something after having a family.
“I think if women can run ultra marathons, win tennis tournaments and make All Star WNBA teams then surely I can squeeze out eight, 10 or 11 games of football in an AFLW season.”
Pearce’s children Sylvie and Roy will turn one-year-old on February 15, which will coincide with the AFLW’s Round 2 matches.
Pearce has recently signed on with Tooshies by TOM nappies as an ambassador.
“I was already aware of the environmentally conscious, plant-based material in their products so it was a natural fit for me to choose their nappies,” Pearce said.
“It is crazy to think how many nappies we go through a month, at least 350 and sometimes that does not cut it if it has been a few bad nights.
“When you have children you become more aware of the impact you are having on the environment and for the sake of the future it is good to be able to make choices lessen that impact.”
Pearce said she was grateful to her partner, Ben O’Neill and the Melbourne AFLW club for helping her return to footy.
“I certainly had my doubts and wondered whether I had been unrealistic about what I had thought I would be able to achieve, but I am so fortunate to have great support at home and from the club. I could not be more thankful,” she said.