Ash Brazill: How I balance two competitive sports (and find time for myself)

As part of the Collingwood AFLW and netball teams and as a member of Australia’s national netball squad, Ash Brazill’s career is something to be envied. On top of this, she’s also a loving mother and partner. Here’s how she makes it all work.

My journey started with netball. I loved footy, but I never thought my game would be at this level. Until I joined Collingwood, I put all my eggs in the netball basket.

Initially, I was pushing hard to make the Australian national team (the Australian Diamonds), and I asked my coach if I could play footy if I didn’t make the national squad. She agreed, thinking I was joking. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it into the Diamonds.

Again, I asked my coach if I could play footy. It took a bit of convincing, but eventually I was allowed to play both sports at Collingwood. Funnily enough, after training for footy, I was later accepted into the Diamonds

Netball is a full-time sport. We train Monday to Friday, starting at seven and finishing at two. Footy training takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting at six in the evening and finishing at nine. I’m actually at the club all day – I work there when I’m not training.

When I started this routine, it didn’t feel tough because I loved everything. I was in my element. However, things became a little trickier once I started adding the family dynamic into the mix. It’s not easy finding time for myself and my loved ones, considering on some days I train twice.

Thankfully, my wife Brooke is so supportive. She always reminds me that my career is special. “You can’t do it for your whole life, so enjoy it while you can,” she tells me. I know that if I didn’t have her support – and if I wasn’t playing both sports for Collingwood – it just wouldn’t be possible.

Sometimes, I forget how exhausted I can get (mainly because I enjoy my career so much). Two years ago, this resulted in an ACL tear during a footy match, forcing me to take a 12-month break. I now realise there were red flags that I should have seen, but I was so caught up in the moment.

It was a hard pill to swallow. The physical rehab was tough – I never want to go through it again. I was lucky enough that Brooke had experienced a similar ACL injury a long time ago, so she knew how to get through the rehab. The best advice Brooke gave me was that the rehabilitation process was 70 per cent mental, and 30 per cent physical, which turned out to be true.

We went into the first Covid lockdown two weeks after my surgery, so I didn’t have access to a physiotherapist until seven months after my surgery. My netball team were in a hub in Queensland, so I didn’t have their support in person – I was doing ACL rehab by myself in a spare room. I remember saying to Brooke, “I feel like I’ve retired.” It seemed like I’d been forgotten about.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and thankfully it was a good time for a break. My son Louis was only six weeks old, and I was excited to spend more time with him. When I came back to sport, I played the end of the footy season and a final, as well as a whole netball season without injury. I was stoked with that.

I think a common misconception about athletes is that they train all day. That’s far from the truth. I’d burn out quickly if that were the case.

I aim to achieve a balanced lifestyle – for example, spending time with Brooke and Louis, and having a job working at the club while training. I know if I’m mentally fresh, I can play the best netball and footy. It’s the same with my family – if they’re not in a good place, then I’m null and void on both the field and court.

As soon as I get home from training, I try to give Brooke a break. I normally take Louis out to the park on his scooter. We play, get back, and have dinner together as a family. I have a short gym day on Tuesday followed by a recovery session in the pool, so I take Louis to splash around.

It’s important to find that downtime to recharge, because I know I’ll feel like a little kid again on the field when I get to training. I’m so grateful that I get to do what I do and live my dreams.

My free time revolves around enjoying every moment I can with Louis. I remember my mum and other parents I spoke to before we had him always saying the same thing: “They grow up so fast.”

Becoming a mother massively changed my outlook on life. Right now – both professionally and in my everyday life – my philosophy is all about not sweating the small stuff. If my little boy and wife are healthy and happy, it makes all the drama in life mean nothing. 

Article 1: James Hird: 7 things I’ve learned about work, sport and life
Article 2: Connor Blakely: How I maintain a work-life balance
Article 3: Chris Judd on the challenges of leaving football

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances 

Disclaimer: This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.