If you've ever watched Women's Rugby in Guernsey, you'll have heard the name Daisy Travers. For years, Daisy has been instrumental for the Guernsey Raiders Ladies, right back to before we had a women's team in Guernsey and she was training with the men! Her passion for women's rugby is like no other. But how does she do it? Read her story below of the journey back to rugby from playing for Bristol Bears, to setting up a Mum's rugby club, to coaching her daughters team...

How did you find your return to rugby?
I returned to rugby twice after kids, and both times were very different. After having my first, my decision to return was solely for my mental health. I was medicated for postpartum anxiety and was struggling significantly to sleep and manage the thought of returning to work with a baby around 8 months postpartum. I had been playing for Bristol in the premiership, and whilst my first session back was deep pre-season fitness - I remember how happy I was, how ‘home’ I felt, and how for 90 minutes my brain had completely been present in just me and my teammates and rugby.

It wasn’t all easy though, going back to a club that had so recently dived into the early days of the professional league, I was the only mum on the team, and there weren’t many people who could relate. That said, everyone was so welcoming and excited to support me back, and meet Blossom!

How do you find managing training and also being a mum?
If you know rugby, you know what you get out of it, and how it can benefit you but also when your kids get older how powerful it can be for them to see you commit, enjoy and flourish doing something for yourself. The rugby network is a strong one, we all have each other's back on the pitch, and as a mum, you’ll find the community with other mums too. They are very similar environments where you can bond over something that can be really mentally and physically challenging but empowering. If you’ve never tried it, what are you waiting for?! Go check it out and find a club near you, rugby is authentically welcoming - I turn up to clubs I’ve never been to on holidays, work trips, and I’ve yet to not feel welcome - even with major language barriers!

If you could give one piece of advice to mums thinking about returning to/joining rugby, what would that be?
When you only have such a small amount of time to yourself in between school runs/work/packed lunch making, you cherish your time with the team. You might not have as much time to train and play, but whatever works for you is still worth showing up for. I’m conscious of how being present away from everything else in life gives me mental space, but also how much the fun with teammates can lift my mood. I also don’t waste my time. If I’m at training if I’m the gym, I am 100% more efficient these days!

How has becoming/being a mum changed your perspective on the game?
Being a mum who’s returned to rugby and on a team of varied ages, I adore the multi generational aspect, I’ve got girls under 18 who I really can compare to my own kids and I want to be able to help them learn and get better when coaching, the girls in their twenties feel like little sisters and you can get this ingrained sense that I will have their backs fiercely on that pitch and then other mums like me just ‘get it’, I can have a moan about something to them and there’s no judging and they listen. Rugby is something I hope to always have in my life. Here’s to carrying on the friendships I’ve made over twenty+ years and beyond.