Firebirds captain Hulita Veve talks juggling being a mum and her Super Netball career

When Hulita Veve announced her first pregnancy, just after the Firebirds won the title, she was told it would end her career. Nearly a decade on, she’s still proving the doubters wrong.

Hulita Veve was 12 weeks pregnant when she helped the Firebirds win the grand final back in 2016 - she was told that having a child would mean she would likely never play elite level netball again.

Flash forward almost a decade and Veve is a mum of two and captain of the Firebirds.

It wasn’t a simple journey - Veve made her return via the Sapphire Series, and a lengthy five year stint as a Firebirds training partner.

She earned her first professional contract in eight years in time for the 2024 season - where she proved being a mum doesn’t rule you out of a career as an elite sportswoman.

“Persistence pays off,” Veve said.

“When I came back (after having my babies) lots of people told me I’d never play again at that level. I definitely proved them wrong, because you can. Just because you are a mum doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams.

“I hope my journey inspires other women to do so too.”

Firebirds co-captain Hulita Veve at Nathan Arena ahead of the start of the 2025 Super Netball season. Picture Lachie Millard

Back in 2016 there was little if any policies in netball contracts regarding pregnancy or maternity leave.

“It wasn’t as common,” Veve said. “For someone who was young back then it was a bit scary for me, but it is much more common now.”

Just last week Thunderbirds premiership player Shamera Sterling announced she was pregnant. Half of the Super Netball clubs this season have a pregnant player on the roster.

It’s not easy - juggling training, games and travel with her mum duties.

But Veve says the key is balance.

“Sometimes it is hard for me to switch off, but I know that once I get home, once I leave training and go and pick up the kids from school that I don’t talk about netball,” Veve said.

“I don’t reply to netball things. I’m just a mum and that’s the difference between being a netball and a mum.

“It can be a bit of a juggle.”

The year is split in two for the Veve family - in-season and off-season.

In-season means time with the family is extra special. Veve said her two-boys, Jakiah and Jeremiah are often at training, sometimes travel with her or otherwise watch the game on the television.

Hulita Veve is continuing to excel for the Firebirds. Picture: Getty

“They love the game day walks and if I’m at home stretching or rolling they will join in with me,” Veve said.

“It is a lot of sacrifices and leaving the children, especially for weekends where it is over one or two nights, is hard, it’s a lot of balance.

“It’s really hard but the support system I have to help out is really big. I literally couldn’t do it without my family and my husband’s family as well.

“I do feel for my kids sometimes when they have to put up with me when I come home from a hard loss or a training session.”

Come the off-season Veve crams as much as she can into every weekend.

“The off-season weekends are so special for me. It’s all about my little family. We spend lots of time together, lots of theme parks, bike rides, parks and stuff like that.”

Veve’s whole netball journey is one of perseverance and determination - a lesson she hopes she has taught her two boys.

“When I look back to when I first played and to where I am now, I’ve grown so much, my journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, I’ve been a training partner for five years and only just got back into it last year.

“I was close to giving up, but I’m super glad I stuck it out because I wouldn’t be here now.”

Originally published as Firebirds captain Hulita Veve talks juggling being a mum and her Super Netball career