Celebrating Kenya Lionesses Captain Judith Auma: Balancing Rugby and Motherhood

As the world marks the International Mother's Day, amidst the cheers of gratitude and the chorus of celebrations, one figure shines brightly in the world of sports, in Kenya particularly. 

Arguably the next big thing in Kenya’s women's rugby, Judith Auma Okumu has been instrumental in steering the national rugby team to glory.

At only 25 years, Auma has already achieved the 'Olympian status' which is the pinnacle of any professional rugby player career.

Despite the parenthood challenges, Auma stands as one of the most decorated players in the country, she is also the Kenya Lionesses captain.

Her journey is a testament to the formidable strength and dedication required to balance the demands of rugby and motherhood.

Citizen Digital caught up with a 25-year-old who also plays for Impala Women's RFC. In her own words, Auma reflects on the delicate dance between her roles as a professional athlete and a devoted mother.

Despite her busy schedule, she embraces the joy of motherhood while pursuing excellence on the rugby field. It's a delicate equilibrium that requires commitment and passion.

Returning from maternity leave presented Auma with her greatest challenge yet. The tug-of-war between her responsibilities as a mother and her passion for rugby tested her resolve. Yet, with the support of her family, she persevered.

Every training session became an opportunity to push herself further, fueled by the motivation of her son, 5-year-old Adrian Okumu, her guiding light through the storm.

"I have always found strength through my son, despite my busy schedule I celebrate being a mother and a professional player because it's not easy balancing in between" she offered.

"A typical day in my life is when I came back from maternity leave, balancing wasn't a walk in the park because every time I was thinking about my son when I left behind if he was okay or not and I ended up not full concentration in training, traveling days was my worst knowing that am going to leave my son behind for a while that, I use to call back every time but I’m grateful I picked up and got support from his dad," she narrated. 

The path back to the rugby field was fraught with uncertainty. Doubt lingered, whispering tales of impossibility. Yet, Auma chose to defy the odds, driven by her love for the game and the support of her loved ones.

It was not easy; reclaiming her fitness was an uphill battle. But with determination as her compass, she forged ahead, knowing that someone was watching over her with love and pride.

"After I delivered, I was contemplating quitting rugby for good because I had no idea where I was going to start after a long maternity leave. I then decided to start personal training, then the Covid-19 outbreak came, which to me I saw it as a blessing in disguise since it offered me more time to train before joining the rest of my teammates," she added.

Her journey is not solitary, it is a shared odyssey with her son by her side. As she imparts her wisdom to the next generation of athletes, her son joins her, a testament to the symbiotic relationship between motherhood and mentorship. His presence on the sidelines infuses her with boundless energy, a reminder of the purpose behind her pursuits.

"I do train age-grade kids, anytime I go for training I usually go with my son and he joins the under 9 years category, and when I have club games I normally go with him as he watches."

On whether her son would play rugby in the future, Judy downplayed the possibility, "I can't say he will play rugby as me, as he grows he will decide for himself."

Since making her national team debut in 2016 at the age of 18 years, Auma has been a regular figure in both sevens and the fifteens version.

To all the mothers in sports, Auma extends a message of solidarity and encouragement. She reckons, raising a family while pursuing athletic excellence is no small feat, but it's a journey worth undertaking. 

She urges her fellow mothers to never relinquish their dreams, but let their children be the guiding stars illuminating their path to greatness.

"To those mothers in sports, I would say it's never easy raising a family while in sports but never give up doing what you love because you are a mother, let your kids be the motivation towards your goals," Auma stated.

As Auma celebrates five years of motherhood, her journey serves as an inspiration to all through her resilience, her perseverance, and her love. 

Report by Brian Mwenje