Tall Ferns star Ashleigh Udesike is one of those people who firmly believes women can do anything. But even she was pushed to her limits this year when top-level sport, motherhood and a tragic accident all came at once.
The 31-year-old basketball player (née Kelman-Poto) from Auckland’s North Shore had been married a little more than a year and was focused on her newborn daughter Nauvoo when she was unexpectedly selected to join the Ferns on their European tour in June.
Despite having dreamed and trained for this since first picking up a basketball at age eight, the Northern Kāhu player hadn’t expected the international call-up to come so soon after giving birth.
“It was a pinch-myself moment to have finally made it after so many training camps,” Ashleigh admits.
Feeling daunted but determined, she and husband Meka worked out a plan that allowed him to stay at home to care for new baby Nauvoo and her six-year-old brother Jai. Everything was slotting into place – until tragedy struck.
While enjoying a family day out trail biking in March, Meka decided to do a couple of laps on a motocross track and didn’t land a jump right.
“I was waiting with the kids and when he didn’t come around the track after 30 minutes, I thought he might have hurt himself, but I didn’t realise how bad it was until the ambulance came,” recalls Ashleigh.
“I called his cousin who was with him and he told me everything was fine, but I didn’t have a good feeling. I insisted he told me and he said Meka was on the ground unconscious.
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin October 29, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin October 29, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
LIVING WITH LONG COVID
Whether you or someone close to you is suffering, the support you get will make all the difference
WENTWORTH STAR LEAH 'I FELT SO STRONG!'
The Aussie acting legend talks love, leeches, lifting weights and her new series High Country
TV STAR SAMUEL 'NO ONE GOES ON MAFS FOR LOVE'
The skincare entrepreneur has some advice for the new contestants
Khristian's RECIPE FOR LOVE
This contestant had to choose between his partner and the MasterChef kitchen
A YEAR WITHOUT JOCK 'WE WERE TWO HALVES'
It's been 12 months of milestones and missing the beloved MasterChef Australia judge
HUGH'S KIDS TELL 'WE'LL LOOK AFTER YOU, DAD'
While the actor struggles to find his feet after his divorce, Ava and Oscar are as worried as his fans
CAM'S BODY IMAGE BATTLE 'IT'S OK NOT TO HAVE ABS!
After years of being bullied when he was younger, the CTI star wants to help empower others
HOME AND AWAY CAST DIVIDED OVER NEW ROMANCE
Ada and James' love life is the talk of the town - and Summer Bay!
THE MOMENT CHARLES MADE ZARA A PRINCESS?!
The King is on a mission to give his niece a leg-up in the monarchy
BRAD & INES' ROMANCE HEATS UP!
Life was a beach for Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon as they enjoyed a romantic stroll along the waterfront in Santa Barbara last week.