SLAM-DUNKING IT AS A PROUD MUM

WHEN AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALLER ABBY BISHOP LANDED IN TOWNSVILLE, THE CITY KNEW IT HAD WELCOMED A WORLD-CLASS ATHLETE, BUT WHERE THIS STAR TRULY SHINES BRIGHTEST IS IN MOTHERHOOD. SIX YEARS AGO THE INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETE’S LIFE CHANGED FOREVER WHEN AT SHORT NOTICE SHE MADE THE CALL TO RAISE HER SISTER’S NEWBORN CHILD, ZALA. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION SHE EVER MADE. SINCE TAKING ON MOTHERHOOD BISHOP HAS RAISED A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, STOOD UP FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND REACHED THE SUMMIT OF THE SPORT SHE LOVES. REPORTS

“I started preparing, in my head, when I got on that plane. I knew there was a strong chance I’d be coming back with a baby,” Bishop said.

“I was capable of taking Zala and it just broke my heart knowing there was a chance she could go into foster care.

“It was what I could do for my sister, for my family and what I could do for Zala.”

Bishop found herself in a strange city, staying in a hotel room with newborn Zala. She was without help and preparation but her heart was full, and she knew she was doing the right thing.

While Bishop’s intentions were pure and her resolve strong, she was still a young woman in the midst of an international sporting career and those close to her knew the challenges raising a child would bring.

“The hardest part was probably telling my mum,” Bishop said.

“She was very devastated initially that I took Zala. She didn’t want me to ruin my

career by doing what I did. It wasn’t my responsibility but it felt like it was.”

By the time Zala was able to make the trip back to Canberra a friend had set up a small nursery at Bishop’s house and the new mother and daughter were home.

From the moment Abby Bishop made the decision to raise Zala her priorities changed and basketball had to take a back seat to the blueeyed bub who needed her most.

Like most professional athletes, Bishop is driven by a desire to succeed and that means hard work and dedication to the craft.

Early morning gym sessions, a structured diet, team meetings, skills training, game-day commitments and all of this in a strict schedule, none of which is typical for a 24-year-old single mother.

“Everything changed, because it wasn’t about me anymore, it was about Zala,” Bishop said.

“I couldn’t sleep properly, I couldn’t do all the early gym sessions … basketball came second in my life.”

If Bishop’s priorities weren’t clear already she proved to the world that Zala came first when she sensationally walked away from the A u s t r a l i a n Opals due to B a s k e t b a l l A u s t r a l i a ’ s parenting policy.

I n 2014, in t h e lead- up to the women’s basketball world championships where Bishop was set to take the court, she was informed of serious restrictions that would be placed on one-year-old Zala. Not only would Bishop have to foot the bill for her daughter’s travel and accommodation, Zala was banned from many places the team would be.

B a s k e t - ball Australia high performance manager Chuck Harmison said at the time: “We want to keep the sanctity of a high performance environment and make sure kids don’t disrupt training, games or team accommodation.”

After having positive experiences at club level with teams and officials embracing Zala, Bishop was shocked and insulted by Basketball Australia’s stance.

“Zala wasn’t allowed to be

anywhere,

Bishop said.

“I thought that was disturbing.

“It blew my mind to the point where I made a stand and decided to quit.

“I couldn’t get my mind around why Basketball Australia wouldn’t support me and help me; for years basketball was my life.”

Bishop said since that time the policy had changed and while it no longer affected Zala she took pride in the thought her stance helped others.

“I feel very passionate about it and I’m also proud of myself,” she said.

“Now these women who have kids and come back and play can do so without having to sacrifice what they need to do as a parent.” near anything,” really

On the court, the Townsville Fire’s 189cm powerhouse might be the star of the show but outside the sporting arena Zala is definitely the centre of attention.

Less than a week away from