Abbie Ward: ‘I felt apprehensive having headshots two weeks after giving birth'
It was announced in early January of this year that Bristol Bears player Abbie Ward and her husband, Head Coach Dave Ward were expecting their first child together. Nine months later Abbie and Dave now have a baby girl, Hallie, and Abbie is back in training with Bristol Bears. Her aim is to return to play in time for Bristol Bears’ first game in the Allianz Premiership on the 18th November against Sale Sharks.
Bristol finished their Premiership campaign in fourth last season, despite falling short in their semi-final to Exeter Chiefs. Abbie is chomping at the bit to return but at the moment, is enjoying every minute with her new daughter, Hallie. Abbie tells RugbyPass how she’s found being a mum so far and her excitement to play again.
“Everything is going really well” she begins. “Week by week we’ve been progressing with the training plan that was put in place during my pregnancy. We’re even a little bit ahead of schedule, My plan is to return for the first game of the Premiership which is the 18th November. It’s great, I’m running again this week.
“One of the considerations I didn’t think about and why you have to go slowly to begin with is due to bone density from breastfeeding. It obviously depletes your calcium stores. There’s been lots of things I’ve had to learn which previously I’d never had to think about but it’s going really well and I’m looking forward to being back on the pitch with the girls soon”.
Abbie has been completing all her rehab at Bristol and she admits it’s been the perfect environment and not just for herself but for baby Hallie, too.
“They’ve been great throughout and so proactive with everything.
“For example, a couple of weeks ago, they came to me and said they’ve had changing facilities fitted for Hallie that I can use. It wasn’t even a consideration, they just came straight to me. They’ve offered me a place to express my milk and store it. That’s the type of environment that I’ve been rehabbing in and it’s just been brilliant.
“Most of the time I’m here by myself and Hallie gets looked after by family at home but there has been the odd occasion where I’ve had to bring her in for physio or for meetings and everyone has been so great. A lot of the girls have a hold and it puts me at ease with being able to do that”.
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Despite Abbie only having two weeks of downtime after giving birth, she believes she has more energy and can’t wait to be back on the rugby field. “Even though with all the night feeds and not having much sleep, it’s given me more energy being back in the rugby environment.
“Just seeing the girls and getting my body moving excites me. There are a lot of new faces as well, I haven’t played for Bristol since the semi-final in 2022. I know I’ve got a lot to learn and catch up on and I want to make sure I put my best foot forward for the season”.
That excitement transcends to the Red Roses. New boss John Mitchell is currently coaching Japan’s men at the Rugby World Cup and will start his new role fully after the tournament concludes while Louis Deacon, the England forwards coach, is in interim charge for now. And Abbie tells Rugbypass she is looking forward to working with John when she returns on the international stage.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” she begins. “Everything that I hear about John Mitchell is positive, whether that’s through speaking to other players or coaches that have worked with him. I’m incredibly excited. The level of detail and the energy that he brings is something which I look for in a coach.
“I think regardless of how successful your coaches are, it’s always good to have a change up every now and again. I think it’s something that’s going to be great for us. We definitely need to add to our game and I think we can. Everyone is just hungry to improve their game, even myself. I’ve played for eight years but I still feel I’ve got a lot to learn and I think Mitch is definitely the guy that can take us to the next level.”
Before every new season begins, clubs have headshot day where players have photos taken in their new club kit. Bristol had their headshot day at the end of August and Ward admits she felt a mixture of emotions.
“It’s always exciting for headshot day – being in a new kit and being with everyone for the first time is great. It’s like that first day of school isn’t it? Especially after a period off. It was obviously a bit different for me this time, though.
“There were lots of considerations. We bought Hallie in for headshots. I think she was about a week and a half, maybe two weeks old at the time. That was great, I felt so proud to be able to have a photo with her. It was amazing, particularly with both me and Dave being at Bristol. I think that’s pretty special and an occasion we wanted to mark.
“At the same time, I felt apprehensive having headshots. Getting back into kit two weeks after giving birth, I was very aware that last time I did headshots, I was in a completely different sized kit.
“I think naturally, you are nervous and self-conscious of how you look but it’s easier to get your head around when you’re heavily pregnant and you’ve got that baby bump there, but I think something you don’t really think about is post birth and that you still have that bump. It doesn’t just vanish. I was definitely self-conscious but the girls have been incredible in terms of hyping me up as I’m definitely hard on myself”.
It’s not just her teammates who have been supportive since giving birth. Abbie cannot speak highly enough of the S&S coaches at Bristol and England who have given her advice and a training programme she’s had to follow throughout her pregnancy.
“They’ve been hugely instrumental, right from the beginning. It was new territory for myself and them but how they’ve adapted with me has been amazing and on a week by week basis. I haven’t lost lots of strength and loads of power. I’ve kept my skill set up. Now I’m returning to play, we’ve already got a lot of boxes ticked.
“The head of physio, Kate Tyler at Bristol is also working with England as well so it’s been nice to have that consistency because a lot of it is being planned and programmed by England and delivered by Bristol. It’s very much about working in cohesion with Bristol and England.”
As the conversation draws to a close, Abbie offers her advice to other athletes who are maybe starting to think about forming a family of their own.
“Keep up as much activity as possible during pregnancy as you can. My ability to keep up my strength, my fitness, just being in and around the team has been huge. It’s played dividends now I’m coming back.
“If I hadn’t done that, I think it would have been harder and I’d have been looking at a much longer return. It’s about taking it day by day and respecting your body and not being too hard on yourself.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments