New Mum Returns to Rugby 7 Months After Giving Birth

When Millie Elliott runs onto the field Thursday night for New South Wales in State of Origin, her youngest fan will be watching from the stands. Baby Gigi is seven-and-a-half months old, and she'll see her mum play competitive rugby league for the first time since giving birth.

Elliott isn't easing back into the sport. She's jumping straight into one of rugby league's biggest stages, playing for the defending champion Blues in Newcastle.

"There was definitely some early days, postpartum, where you think, how the hell am I going to do that again?" Elliott admitted. She watched her teammates play and thought the hits looked painful, questioning if she could handle the week-to-week grind again.

But Elliott treated her return like recovering from a major injury. She started light training just three to four weeks after giving birth, working closely with physios on prehab and rehab exercises. The four-time NRLW premiership winner said having proper support made all the difference.

Her mother moved into the family home for the season to help care for Gigi while Elliott and her husband, South Sydney forward Adam Elliott, continued their careers. The Roosters provided crucial backing too, and multi-year NRLW contracts gave the family confidence that now was the right time to have a child.

Elliott hasn't played in 18 months, but she's found perspective in that challenge. Most players haven't competed in six months anyway, so everyone is shaking off rust together. She even traveled to Las Vegas earlier this year to play in a Nines competition, getting valuable contact time before Origin.

Why This Inspires

Elliott's journey shows what's possible when sports organizations support athletes through major life transitions. The NRLW's multi-year contracts and the Roosters' backing gave her the security to start a family without sacrificing her career. Her story proves that motherhood and elite athleticism aren't opposing forces.

As a part-time athlete, Elliott was already juggling multiple responsibilities. Adding a baby to the mix required adjustment, but she says the shift wasn't as daunting as expected. Athletes already sacrifice time with family for training, physio sessions, and late nights.

Still, Elliott knows Thursday will test everything she's worked for. The Blues haven't won in Newcastle yet, and defending their championship won't be easy.

But when she takes her first hit-up, Elliott will be ready. "It's a part of who I am," she said. "It's what I love to do, play footy."