Netball Star Returns After Daughter's Near-Death Birth
Emily Mannix sat out an entire championship season after her newborn daughter nearly died at birth. Now she's back on the court and leading a support network for athlete moms.
When Emily Mannix gave birth in January 2025, she couldn't hear her baby cry. Instead, she saw more than 10 doctors and nurses rush around her daughter Mabel, who had the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her neck.
The Australian netball star and her partner Ari were separated from their newborn as paramedics rushed Mabel to emergency care. That night, Mannix went home to an empty nursery, not knowing if her daughter would survive.
"It was touch and go if she was even going to survive," Mannix told ABC Sport. Mabel had suffered moderate oxygen loss to her brain and needed to be placed on ice for 72 hours to prevent further damage.
Doctors slowly warmed Mabel's tiny body while monitoring for seizures. After an MRI, the results came back clear. The Melbourne Vixens goal keeper had won the most important match of her life.
The victory came with a cost. Mannix made the difficult choice to sit out the entire 2025 season, missing her team's championship run at Rod Laver Arena. She admitted feeling "torn" and "bittersweet" watching her teammates lift the trophy without her, but she has no regrets.
The 15-month break gave Mannix time to heal mentally and create something meaningful. She started a WhatsApp group for Super Netball moms, including stars like Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Maddy Proud, and Paige Hadley. The group helps combat the "mum guilt" that creeps in when they're away from their children.
Why This Inspires
Mannix's return to the court in round two of the 2026 season wasn't just about netball. Coming off the bench against the Giants, she recorded four gains, six deflections, and two rebounds while her now healthy daughter watched from the stands with her grandmother.
Her story highlights a shift happening across women's sports. Super Netball has experienced a baby boom, with several first-time mothers returning to competition this season. These athletes are proving that motherhood and elite sports careers don't have to be mutually exclusive.
The league itself is thriving too. Round two saw a record-breaking 13,400 fans attend a Sydney double header, the highest regular season attendance in competition history.
For Mannix, the path back wasn't easy, but it gave her perspective that transcends any championship trophy.
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Based on reporting by ABC Australia
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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