Cann breaks down barriers

By Lachlan Everett for NBL1.com.au

Female athletes are often faced with an impossible choice, deciding to have a family or continue to play during the peak of their career. 

But the Logan Thunder’s Mikaela Cann is breaking down this barrier, returning to the court only eight days after giving birth to her third child Dallas. 

"A lot of women in our league are in that crucial timeframe of their lives where it's a decision that they have to make (starting a family or playing). And when I had my first child Addison, I played for the Townsville Fire in 2017, and even then that was nearly unheard of for a woman to have a child themselves and come back,” she told NBL Media. 

“Since then watching the number of athletes that are deciding to do both and understand that they can is pretty cool to see. So for me, I've always had the mindset I can do both and I know any woman can.

“I’ve always said from a young age that I wanted a family. And if I wanted to play basketball, then they'd come along on the journey with me.” 

Cann was the Finals MVP for the Logan Thunder’s championship in the 2021 NBL1 North season. The team had to adjust without their star and played through the post with Mikaela Ruef, rather than through Cann as the lead guard, she explained. 

Mikhaela Cann was UNSTOPPABLE tonight as she scored 2??7?? points in @BasketballLogan's Game One win in the best of three #NBL1North Women's Grand Final series ?

Game Two is 5pm tomorrow live and free on @kayosports, https://t.co/NEk1I7BLMG and the @NBL App ? pic.twitter.com/KiUUe6Vuwi

— NBL1 (@NBL1) September 10, 2021

Cann said it was an adjustment watching from the sidelines until her return against the Gold Coast Rollers in Round 14, but she said her teammates and club could not have been more supportive. 

“We call ourselves the Thunder family for a reason, It is exactly like that. And there's a reason why we all want to go back and play each year,” Cann said. 

"My teammates were amazing, they were very patient and allowed me to do what I was comfortable with. They did what they could to get me involved. I think more than anything, just being able to be part of a locker room and use my voice and my leadership a little bit more than what I could have during my late pregnancy.” 

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Cann is married to the Thunder’s men’s head coach Luke Cann. Mikaela said having his support in her professional career and personal life made it a lot easier to go through the process. While he didn’t necessarily agree coming back to the court that quickly was a good idea, Mikaela said his support and understanding of the situation got her through. 

Throughout the season Cann said she experienced the stigma of being pregnant in a sporting environment.

“I don't think people understand unless they've had a kid to know what the process is like and how it is to come back,” she said. 

"It's like having a year-long injury, we had a lot of kickback this year when I was sitting on the bench from people who, in my opinion, are uneducated on what it is and how it should affect women's sport and the rules. 

"So I hope that that's something that we can fix moving forward and educate more people on what pregnancy is, which is unfortunate that we have to do that in 2022. But, you know, we're still learning and we're still processing that as a sport.  

"It's post-birth where you struggle the most and your body goes through the most changes, obviously trying to get fit again and you lose a lot of core and your muscles become looser.

“So if I can be someone who leads that throughout the country and sets that example, showing people that we can play, that's great. It's not an injury, it's growing a human.”

Photo of the Cann family (supplied)

The return to the court is something Cann has a lot of experience in, now giving birth to her third child. She explained she did a lot more gym work and muscle training, especially to her core, throughout her pregnancy to better prepare herself for the return. 

“I knew a lot more of what I could do during pregnancy to make sure I was better off afterwards. It's rehab, it’s just a different type of muscle group.

“I've stayed active throughout all of my pregnancies, I love to run, I love to walk and you know, I love to play basketball, obviously. But once I can't play, I still stay active otherways.” 

Cann sees herself as a leader in breaking down this barrier, proving an example for women to show they can play professionally and have a family. 

“We're going to do our part, female athletes, we are always leading, we're always pushing the boundaries and showing the world what women's sport can do,” she said. 

“But at the same time, there are always people who like to make comments or like to judge before they understand. That's probably my key message,  just continue to educate yourself, it's on everyone to do their part, if you're involved in women's sports then you should be doing your part to understand and be a leader as well.” 

Feature image via: B.Rad Sports Photography