Put together by the Australian Institute of Sport, the guide was the culmination of research involving about 60 athletes, organisational staff and coaches. Central Queensland University and the Queensland Academy of Sport were also involved.
Announced at QSAC – the one-time proposed central venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics – on Thursday morning, federal sports minister Anika Wells and Queensland minister Tim Mander were in attendance.
Now-retired Olympic canoeist Alyce Wood was cheered on by her daughter Florence at the 2024 Paris games. Credit: William Davis
Olympic canoeist Alyce Wood was also there. She had her first child after the Tokyo games, and three years later then-toddler Florence was in Paris to watch her compete on the water.
“This is massive for sport in Australia,” she said.
“I think the biggest thing is to make female athletes that want to become parents more comfortable … and seen.
“Opening up conversations, educating our sports, educating coaches and sports staff.”
Sabljak is still pregnant with her first child, and doesn’t know when she’ll be back on the rugby court.
“My condition has a fatigue element … and then adding pregnancy on top of that, my fatigue’s even worse,” she said.
“I’m doing little bits where I can, but I don’t think I’d be able to fit in my rugby chair.
“I’m just going to ride the wave and see what happens.”
Queensland Sport Minister Tim Mander said the state government is backing the recommendations, which will support Australian elite athletes in the lead up to the Brisbane games.
“It’s time that don’t have to have this difficult decision on whether I have a baby or whether I continue to have my career in sport.
“You can have both, and they need to be supported on that journey, and that’s what these recommendations and this study is all about.
“As we lead to the games of 2032, we want to make sure that we have environments that women feel safe in, and they feel like they’re well-supported and can come back bigger and stronger than ever.”
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