From the Pitch to Motherhood: Hannah Blundell

Most women dream of becoming a mother, to hold their child and to experience a love they’ve

never felt before but what happens when a professional athlete has to put her career on hold, only

to possibly return slower, side-lined or even not at all.

Hannah Blundell has become one of the many athletes to prove this wrong and has helped to

rewrite the story of motherhood for athletes.

Throughout her recovery and transition into motherhood, Blundell is constantly showing that

motherhood is not a permanent boundary in an athletes career but instead purely a temporary

barrier.

Blundell’s Journey Pre-Motherhood:

Hannah Blundell began her senior career at Chelsea, where she had previously played during her

youth.

However, after 161 caps, 11 goals and 9 years in London, Blundell made the move up north to

join Manchester United in 2021, with a two year deal and the opportunity to extend her stay for

another year.

By the 24/25 season at Manchester United, Blundell had gained 91 caps, contributed to a historic

FA Cup win and was named players’ player of the season in her second season with the club,

cementing her reputation as an integral and valuable player on and off the pitch.

In September 2024, Manchester United announced the pregnancy of Blundell, where the defender

shared, “I’ve got some good and bad news... the bad news is that I’m out for the season, but the

good news is that I’m pregnant.”

Blundell then went on state, “they’ve (Manchester United) triggered my option for next year, so

thankfully I haven’t got to worry about where I’m going to be”.

While Blundell has received support from her club, since the beginning of her motherhood

journey, many other athletes are refused support; forcing them into a place of uncertainty during

an already uncertain and unpredictable time.

Motherhood stories, such as Blundell’s, act as an unspoken reminder into how support can

remove the boundary and in its place leave a temporary barrier.

Blundell’s Journey Post-Motherhood:

Blundell officially began life as a new mother in March 2025 when she gave birth to her daughter

Romi.

Following Romi’s birth, Blundell’s teammates dedicated their FA Cup Semi-final win, against

Manchester City, to her newborn daughter. This act of support and love for Romi and Blundell

reflects the bond between the players and the staff at Manchester United.

Now, just four months later in July, Blundell has returned to football having completed her first run

since an unplanned category two caesarean.

While Blundell’s recovery may not have gone as the defender had planned, she’s overcome the

barriers and showed that motherhood is not the end to ambition, competitive spirit or a career.

Blundell is proving day by day that motherhood and elite performances can coexist, despite the

challenges and barriers they may have to overcome during their journey.

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