When the Covid-challenged Tokyo Olympics were put back a year many athletes went into a confused hibernation. But Matildas star Katrina Gorry decided to seize the moment.
Football: Australia’s stellar build into the Women’s World Cup continues, Sam Kerr getting on the scoresheet in a historic 2-0 win over England in London.
That’s because it came, not from the opposition, but her unborn daughter.
“I remember lying on my bed watching the matches and Harper would move,’’ midfielder Gorry, an 11-year Matilda, said.
“It was definitely hard watching the Olympics at home and at the time I was almost in labour. It was kind of bittersweet.
“But once I became a mum I knew that was where I deserved to be in my life and it was the best decision I have made.’’
Katrina Gorry and her daughter Harper. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen
When the Covid-challenged Tokyo Olympics were put back a year from 2020 to 2021 many athletes went into a confused hibernation.
But Brisbane Roar star Gorry decided to seize the moment and took a bold new journey into motherhood by having IVF treatment in Norway where she was playing with Avaldsnes.
Things happened quickly. She had the embryo transferred on the same day she flew back to Australia and had to endure 14 days of quarantine when she landed.
But it was all worthwhile because deep down she knew that, stimulating as her football career continued to be, her life was not complete.
Harper arrived on August 16, 2021, a week after the Olympics closing ceremony.
Katrina Gorry and her daughter Harper take dog Rio for a walk around New Farm Park in Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen
Katrina Gorry says becoming a mother was “the best decision I have made”. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen
“When I was in Norway and after Covid hit I did a lot of thinking. I still loved football but it felt like a part of me was missing.
“My sister Amanda had a baby quite young and I just wanted to be a Mother Hen all the time.
“I always had it inside me that I wanted to be a mum and I did not want to put anything else on hold any more. So I went for it.
“I did a bit of research on clinics around me at the time. Three weeks later they had transferred an egg. A couple of weeks later I found out I was pregnant.
“It was a win-win. If I fell pregnant that was where I wanted to be. If I didn’t, I had given myself the best chance to go to the Olympics. Looking back it worked out perfectly.’’
Katrina Gorry’s daughter Harper takes Rio for a stroll around New Farm Park in Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen
Gorry does not know the identity of the donor but is comfortable with that.
“In Norway they choose the donor for you. The main thing is they are healthy. For me it did not really matter. At the end of the day I was bringing her into the world and bringing her up. She is pretty perfect but not knowing also meant I had no expectation on the child either.
“You get these lengthy profiles where you can expect them to be a certain way and I did not want that.’’
Gorry, 30, is on track to play in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Australia having returned to the playing field quickly and deliberately giving herself enough time (two years) to regain full momentum.
But she concedes the challenges of being a midfield mum are not to be underestimated.
Katrina Gorry in action for the Matildas. Picture: Getty Images
Katrina Gorry has her eyes on the Women’s World Cup. Picture: Getty Images
“I was breastfeeding when I was playing. That was really hard to juggle because I had to make sure she had enough milk if she needed a feed throughout the game. But it was also an amazing experience to feed her before I ran on to the field.
“The first year was hardest to juggle — training and matches.’’
Gorry has spent the winter in Sweden playing for Vittsjo GIK where Harper is a regular on team bus rides.
“We had a six-hour bus ride and she just sat in the bus and chatted to the girls. It’s special to see how much she bonds with team players. She has aunties all over the world. She is learning the names well.’’