EVEN with a newborn bub taking up most of her attention, there were plenty of times last year when Jacinta Froud was itching to chuck the footy boots on.
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This weekend, the former ACTAFL Women’s Player of the Year will get that chance when she returns to captain the Queanbeyan Tigerettes against Gungahlin.
Froud was one of a host of Queanbeyan players sidelined last season as the requirements of motherhood took priority over sporting commitments.
But with young son Blake now approaching his first birthday, Froud is ready to return to the fray.
‘‘I really missed [the footy] last season,’’ Froud says. ‘‘I went to a few games and got a bit jealous watching everyone run around but at the same time I was being kept very busy at home.
‘‘Especially once the girls started to get a few wins on the board I was definitely keen to get out there again so I didn’t hesitate in coming back this season.’’
Froud will still face something of a balancing act this season with her husband turning out for Harman in the AFL Canberra league.
‘‘We’ll have to juggle things around a bit but he’ll be part of the cheer squad with the kids for my games and I’ll be out there with them for his,’’ Froud said. ‘‘The kids aren’t going to have much choice but to like going out to the footy.’’
Teammates and former Tuggeranong Hawks premiership players Davina Harris and Rachel Short were also occupied during the 2011 season as Dairy Farmers Park was subject to a full-scale baby boom.
Both Harris and Short will join Froud in making their comebacks for Queanbeyan this weekend in a major boost for the club.
All three are former premiership winning players with Tuggeranong and will bring a level of experience to the Tigerettes line-up that was sorely missing last season.
Queanbeyan Tigerettes player movements.
In: Prue Cunningham (North Cairns Tigers), Olivia Dawson and Rachael Finley (Harman), Melissa Hurley, Danielle Kelly and Emily Lewis (Ainslie), Jenna Linehan (Easts – Sydney), Amy Murphy (Gaelic Football) and Kodie Woodbridge, Jacinta Froud, Davina Harris and Rach Short.
Out: Pip Butt, Fran Langi, Dani Louis, Tracey Mosley and Sarah Van Meurs, Chrisie Bourbous, Gez Croke and Bobbie Minniecon.
