Enjoying balanced life
TOWNSVILLE Fire “super mum” Mikhaela Donnelly says the WNBL’s implementation of a parental and pregnancy care policy will let players “have a choice” and help ensure they find a balance between careers and family life.
Donnelly has begun her second season with the Fire juggling her sport commitments with caring for her 18month- old daughter Adisyn.
As part of the agreement, players will have access to a qualified carer for away trips for children up to two years old, and can receive additional care and financial support for children up to four years old.
However, each club will need to fund the policy if a player chooses to access it, including flights and accommodation costs for the child carer.
Players also have the right to pause or suspend their contracts if they fall pregnant, or have a contract paid out up to a maximum of three months.
Donnelly, 24, said the Fire’s willingness to do everything necessary to ensure Adisyn was cared for on the road was a major reason why she opted to make her WNBL return in Townsville.
“Townsville has been awesome. They’ve supported us from the start which has made it super easy,” Donnelly said.
“Adi usually comes with us on all road trips, except for Perth. They put me in a comfortable position with her with accommodation, and during training our team manager will look after her, or honestly one of the coaches will coach with her on their hip.
“During games if no one’s available, she just sits on the bench. But usually there’s someone to help in every state because the ( Fire) girls are from all around Australia.
“She’s either with me or one of the girls want to hang out with her – it’s a team effort.”
Donnelly said she and husband Luke were more than happy with the Fire’s assistance thus far.
“Townsville has given us absolutely everything we need to make us more comfortable, but I think it ( the policy) is es- pecially important once get a little older,” she said.
“The age she is now, there’s no extra cost with airfares and accommodation.
“It’s exciting. One thing female athletes go through, especially when they get to this age and this level, is the balance between wanting to start a family and wanting to play.
“Some want to start young and some don’t mind too much, but it’s exciting to have the choice.”
Donnelly, who has taken over the starting point guard spot this season, has found juggling motherhood with basketball easier the second year around, especially now Adisyn is a little older.
“Last season I was still feeding her, she wasn’t sleeping much and was much more dependent on me,” Donnelly said. “Now she’s a lot more annoying on flights but, in general, she’s a lot easier to care for. I don’t have to take a pram and that extra stuff.
“It’s hard to become very good at what you do if you have to work full time, then go to training or have a family.
“Not everyone gets to just play and train ( in the WNBL), it allows us to put a bit more time into our craft.” kids