by Richard Early
CARDIFF City FC Women’s Danielle Broadhurst faced the barrier of pregnancy during the 2017/18 season before returning to football for the 2018/19 campaign.
The 26-year-old gave birth to her son Harvey just three months prior to pre-season commencing in June 2018 and she spoke about the challenges that she overcame.
“It’s great to be back,” she said. “Last season, I played for a bit while pregnant which was quite tough and obviously, I began to slow down and get unfit.
“I finally had the baby and joined back for pre-season, which began three months after I gave birth, which was hard and painful, but I fought through it for the love of the game.
“I had a difficult birth so I was still in pain for four or five months after having Harvey, so it was quite tough going through pre-season while experiencing that. Although, I’m out the other side now and it feels really good.
“It was really mentally challenging supporting the girls when they were struggling because there were loads who got injured, which was tough to watch. I also saw them in the FAW Women’s Cup Final at Cardiff City Stadium which was really good despite the result.”
The midfielder got her scoring back underway in December with a brace in City’s 2-1 (AET) WPWL League Cup quarter-final triumph away to Abergavenny and she went on to reveal her delight at hitting the back of the net again.
“It was nice to get back scoring again, which I missed and they were two important goals against Abergavenny, but I wouldn’t have scored without the team because we worked really well.
“I’m just working hard now to get back to where I was before the pregnancy and I don’t think I’m at the peak of where I want to be just yet. I still think I can improve on my fitness and strength quite a bit, but it’s been good to get back and finally be able to help the girls again.”
Danielle concluded by telling of the different obstacles that she now faces with a baby, adding: “It’s a lot more tiring now because I’m having to get up throughout the night to take care of Harvey and keeping up my fitness for football is definitely more of a test; I’m more time-restricted.”
*Sports Journalism students are running a Women and Sport, Breaking Down Barriers conference at the Sport Park in Treforest on Wednesday, January 16th, 2019.
