Melbourne Rebels captain Mel Kawa is excited to return to the field as she juggles life as a new mother and leading her beloved side in Super Rugby W.
Kawa missed the 2023 season after giving birth to a baby girl Nola in August.
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The former PNG international returns with a new found perspective and appreciation for the game, looking to inspire her young child as she gets ready to pull on the Rebels colours against the Western Force on Friday.
“It’s very different for me this season. I’ve changed my whole perspective on it because I am a mum," Kawa said to Rugby.com.au
“I used to feel a lot more nervous, pressure to perform and I’ve got a daughter that’s like watching now so at the end of the day. the result takes the edge off if this (game) doesn’t go our way.
“I also really want to perform in front of her because I want those core memories for her to emulate something that she might one day aspire to or even just prove to here that she can do what she wants.
“I feel really myself when I’m playing Rugby, it’s my safe space. It literally is my favourite place to be so on the Rugby field it’s business as usual. It took a long time to get my body back to where it needed to be but I’m absolutely raring to go.”
Kawa is still getting used to life as a new mother and all the challenges that come with it.
She had to briefly exit the competition's launch to take care of 'NuNu' when she was crying as the captains were being interviewed on stage.
“I don’t know how anyone does it with a baby at home or a newborn that’s trying to sleep or learning to sleep because let me tell you, sleep deprivation is real and it affects everything in your life," Kawa said and laughed.
“I have a new level of respect for any mother involved in Rugby, let alone playing and I’ve played with so many over my years. The challenge is just keeping that part that you love about Rugby and that’s the reason you keep coming back and you keep waking up for training.
“Rugby is a real privilege that we get to do and play and it’s a real honour to do this and have a family, it puts things in a lot more perspective and it makes things more enjoyable."
Kawa was impressed by the growth of the Rebels during her season watching from the stands, still getting invovled in all aspects whereever she could.
The Rebels finished winless in 2023, unable to close out tight games against the ACT Brumbies and Western Force.
However, they have produced a major signing in the return of Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton from Montpellier, which even took Kawa by surprise.
“I think Montpellier is a great club, it’s my old one in France and it’s actually one of the more challenging experiences I’ve ever done in my whole life," Kawa added.
“I guarantee that not only Ash (Marsters) but Grace will have levelled up their craft and learned a lot out of the pure experience of playing internationally in a country that doesn’t speak English as well.
“I think it’s adds so much depth to our team, she’s played all over Australia with the ‘Tahs and Wallaroos, she’s a real important leader but she’ll actually would’ve got great value from learning for a whole year and I can’t wait to see her bring all that she knows and she’s learnt to Melbourne.”
