Women's World Cup commentator slammed for controversial comments on motherhood
A Women's World Cup commentator has been slammed for saying motherhood had failed to blunt the "competitive instincts" of Australia midfielder Katrina Gorry.
Gorry gave birth to daughter Harper in August 2021, having conceived through IVF as a solo parent. She returned to the international stage in April 2022 and was a standout performer for the Matildas as they edged past the Republic of Ireland in their first World Cup group game last Thursday.
However, commentator David Basheer - who works for major Australian network Channel 7 - caused a stir when he seemed to suggest becoming a mother can have an adverse effect of women's ability to perform in elite sports. Commenting on Gorry's performance, Bashseer said: "Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that's for sure."
The remark prompted widespread outrage, with legendary Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock now having weighed in on the incident. Garriock, who has three children with husband Mathieu Louchart, played after giving birth during her distinguished international career and knows first hand the challenges new mothers face when they return to the pitch.
"Why are we continuing to have this conversation when we have so many global superstars having children and coming back," she said on Optus Sport.
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"It's not a conversation. Of course you're going to come back better, get fitter faster, stronger and have more balance. It's not a conversation any more, we need to stop talking about it.
"There was scrutiny last week about a commentator, it was irrelevant what he said. He meant to say she's come back bigger and stronger.
"For me, I'm proud that we have stars around the world. Women need to be treated with respect, and whether you're a mother and a professional athlete, you can do both, hands down."
Gorry, who recently got engaged to Swedish club teammate Clara Markstedt, opened up on her decision to become a mother in the fly-on-the-wall Disney+ documentary, 'Matildas: The World at our Feet'.
"I was playing over in Norway when COVID hit. I didn't really know the IVF process very well. I didn't have a partner to talk it out. At that time, I didn't tell any of my family that I was going through it. I was really just keeping it to myself. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want them to talk me out of it," she said.
"Holding Harper in my arms for the first time, it was just the most special and amazing and most fulfilling moment that I've ever had. When I fell pregnant, I'd fallen out of love with the game and even resented it a little bit because I was away from my family for years at a time. I was ready to retire and be done with it. The missing piece was Harps – she gave me a reason to play again.
Heather Garriock has weighed in on the issue"When I first held her in my arms, I told her I was going to play in the home World Cup for her and I'd do whatever it took to get us there."
The tournament has seen a number of players coming back to the field after giving birth, with several of the USA players being able to bring their children with them to Australia and Germany's Melanie Leupolz returning to the the squad after only giving birth in September.
Australia will resume their World Cup campaign against Nigeria on Thursday.
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