Matildas FIFA World Cup 2023: star Katrina Gorry responds to David Basheer’s ‘sexist’ commentary fail

A former Matilda is pleading for female athletes to be treated with respect after controversial comments about motherhood went viral.

David_Basheer

Former Matildas star Heather Garriock is pleading for female athletes to be treated with respect, calling for an end to discussions about the balance of motherhood and professional sport.

Six days into the Women’s World Cup there have been several divisive moments – particularly in match commentary – that have sparked furious debate about the handling of women’s sport.

During the Matildas opening clash with Ireland last week, Channel 7 pundit David Basheer made a reference about Katrina Gorry’s return to professional football after having given birth which shocked many spectators.

“Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure,” Basheer said.

Many were offended by the supposition that somehow becoming a mother would stunt one’s competitive edge and that such comments were not made in men’s sport.

There has also been a large collective of fans calling pundits out for continually making reference to the fact there are mothers playing when the same observation would not be made in men’s sport.

Garriock, a mother herself, has had enough.

“Why are we continuing to have this conversation when we have so many global superstars having children and coming back?” she said on Optus Sport.

“It’s not a conversation. Of course you’re going to come back better, get fitter faster, stronger and have more balance. It’s not a conversation any more, we need to stop talking about it.

“There was scrutiny last week about a commentator, it was irrelevant what he said.

“He meant to say she’s come back bigger and stronger.

“For me, I’m proud that we have stars around the world. Women need to be treated with respect, and whether you’re a mother and a professional athlete, you can do both, hands down.”

David Basheer was slammed for his comments

American striker Jessica McDonald, who is currently pregnant with her second child, echoed Garriock’s sentiments.

“The recovery after giving birth is not the easiest but I have seen a lot of women – Gorry being one of them – come back from it,” she said.

“She was just a pain to play against in the A-League this year.

“I watched a lot of film on her and she’s better post baby than beforehand and I have said the same about Alex Morgan beforehand.

“It’s just incredible what women are capable of doing with their body. Gorry has proven herself.”

McDonald suffered a near career ending injury in her rookie season of 2010.

A year into her recovery she fell pregnant and credits her son for giving her a second chance.

“I find out a year into my recovery that I’m pregnant with my son and so obviously that was something that was surprising and unexpected,” McDonald said.

“I firmly believe that being pregnant with my son helped heal my knee.

Katrina Gorry and the Australian Matildas

“When women are pregnant I like to say that we turn into superhumans because we are growing a whole other human in our bodies which amplifies all the minerals, vitamins, hormones, any healing mechanisms, you name it.

“Bearing a child is absolutely great for a woman’s body and so I took advantage of that, especially being young and recovering. I used my child as motivation.”

As for Gorry, the star midfielder said that while she understood Basheer’s comment would upset some people, she was not about to hold a grudge.

Looking ahead to Australia’s second pool match against Nigeria, Gorry said: “I’ve heard about it – I don’t take things like that too personally,” she said.

“I don’t really look at things like that but I can see how it got taken the wrong way.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it in a negative way. Sometimes things just come out in the wrong way, but it is what it is.”