A new documentary on ITVX explores the challenges faced by professional female athletes and focuses on a former Keswick School pupil who has become a rugby union international.
Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road chronicles the remarkable journey of the England rugby player as she battles back to the professional game just 17 weeks after the birth of her baby in July 2023 and then to secure her place back in the Six Nations squad for 2024.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, the ultimate decision-maker for her return to play at Bristol Bears is the women’s head coach, Dave Ward, who is also Abbie’s husband.
Last month Abbie, who started playing rugby at the age of 10, appeared in her first international since returning from maternity leave as England trounced Italy 48-0 in their opening six nations match. Abbie scored a try in the first half along with her Bristol Bears team-mate Hannah Botterman.
And in November The Keswick Reminder reported that Abbie introduced her new born baby, Hallie, to the fans of Bristol Bears from their Ashton Gate pitch ahead of their first game in the Allianz Premiership. She was loudly cheered as she took to the field of play before recording an emphatic 48-5 victory over Sale Sharks.
The beautiful film showcases the remarkable spirit of a mother driven by an extraordinary dream: to inspire her daughter and leave an enduring legacy in sport.
The film also tackles long held myths that prevent many women from remaining active during and after their pregnancies.
Commenting on her ambition for the documentary, director Sue Anstiss MBE, a renowned women’s sport campaigner, author and podcaster, said: “It’s fantastic that we’re now seeing elite female athletes combining their sporting careers with motherhood especially in sports like tennis, athletics and cycling. But it is rarer to see this for sportswomen competing in team sports. The demanding nature of rugby, with its physical contact and impact, makes it all the more remarkable that Abbie would try to return to the sport professionally, so soon after she’d had her baby.
“I believe this film will transcend the world of sport, resonating with audiences everywhere, especially with women who face the societal challenge of balancing careers with motherhood.”
This visually stunning documentary,directed and produced by Sue Anstiss and Jack Tompkins, is incredibly timely, with the Women’s Six Nations Championship currently taking place and the Rugby World Cup coming to England in 2025.
Abbie is the first player to benefit from a new RFU maternity policy, as the media spotlights the challenges and triumphs of elite sportswomen returning to professional sport as mothers.
Abbie reflects: “What’s most important to me is that my story can serve as an example for sportswomen in the future. I hope I can be a test case to show what’s possible for female athletes when they have great support around them during and after pregnancy.
“The world of women’s sport is changing rapidly, and enabling professional athletes to keep competing as mothers is another important milestone.”
The documentary is now available on ITVX. Abbie has been named in the England squad to face Scotland in round three of the Women’s Six Nations at the weekend.
