A Bump in the Road

New documentary explores female athletes and motherhood

A new documentary released on ITVX next week lifts the lid on the challenges faced by professional female athletes and all working mothers.

Abbie Ward. A Bump in the Road chronicles the remarkable journey of an 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 England’s 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.

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 activist, author and podcast host, says: “It’s fantastic that we’re seeing elite female athletes combining their sporting careers with motherhood - especially in individual sports like tennis, athletics and cycling. But it’s rarer to see this in team sports. The brutal nature of a demanding team sport like rugby, with its physical contact and impact, means we’ve seen very few players return to the sport professionally once they’ve had children.”

“I believe this film will transcend the world of sport, resonating with audiences everywhere, especially women who face the 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 taking place this month 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 airs on ITVX very soon…..