Queensland Rugby League is breaking new ground in its support for female athletes with the release of a game-changing resource that will provide structured guidance for players returning from childbirth.
QRL state manager of coaching and performance John Mitchell joined key stakeholders at the QRL Women’s Forum in Brisbane last week to officially launch the Post Partum Return to Play document.
“We look at return to play from a shoulder injury, from a hamstring, from all those sort of things, but we don’t actually look at the post-partum return to play,” Mitchell said in explaining the reasons behind the creation of the new resource.
“And with the increase of women playing the game and some having children and then returning to play, there wasn’t a structure in place for what they needed to do to say ‘yep, I’ve ticked all the boxes to be able to play footy again’.”
The new post-partum resource provides practical, research informed guidance for women returning to rugby league and other contact sports after childbirth.
For athlete-mothers, the journey back to sport is not simply a matter of physical recovery – it involves navigating complex changes in identity, hormonal fluctuations, breastfeeding considerations, pelvic floor health, and the demands of early motherhood.
“We’re hoping that it gets right out into the community,” Mitchell said of the Post Partum Return to Play, now available on the QRL website.
“As far as we know there isn’t a document as such like this, so this a first for the game and one that we’re exceptionally proud to lead.”
Shirlaw: “Fitter, faster and stronger than before they had their babies.”
The QRL’s Performance Advisory Group steered the project after member Adam Russell identified the need for the post-partum framework.
With the help of Russell (Sports Physiotherapist – PRP Health), Siobhan Shirlaw (Physiotherapist –Jets), Jasmine Collier (Physiotherapist – Clydesdales) and Rebecca Eadie (Strength and Conditioner), the QRL project team pulled together clinical and physical guidelines to help club staff navigate the return to play.
Alexandra Diggles (Pelviology Specialist) and Lucinda Milne (Physical Performance Coach) also provided their expertise in the latter stages of the project that will now support Queensland’s thriving female participation base.
With the number of registered female players in Queenland surpassing 11,000 for the first time last year, the return to play framework will be an essential resource for players across all levels of the game.
QRL director and former Olympian Naomi McCarthy acknowledged the work of the Performance Advisory Group.
“The QRL is delighted to be able to provide a resource that will help athletes, coaches and healthcare professionals throughout the return-to-play journey,” McCarthy said.
“Our female athletes are incredible and this post parturition resource will support many of them to perform at their best as they return to rugby league.”
Shirlaw, who delivered an overview of the six stages within the framework at the launch of the document , said she was “so proud” to contribute.
With post-graduate training in Women’s Pelvic Health through the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Shirlaw enjoys working with expectant mothers and post-partum mothers as they navigate a return to activity.
Shirlaw (pictured) encouraged athletes, coaches and professionals to familiarise themselves with the six stages within the framework. These are:
· Ready – post-partum
· Review – return to gym and general movement preparation
· Restore – return to run and general strength
· Recondition – return to training
· Return – return to play
· Refine – optimise performance
“I am very, very passionate about this space,” Shirlaw said.
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing girls lift heavy things, doing amazing athletic things.
“I’d love to have more girls and women available to do that in this space and hopefully in five years’ time, we’re looking at much bigger growth and discussion with multiple sports and groups contributing.”
