Player Michaela Brake
- Thread starter WahsaurusRex
- Start date
- Full Name
- Michaela Blake (née Blyde)
- Date of Birth
- Dec 29, 1995
- Birth Location
- New Plymouth, New Zealand
- Nationality
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- Height (cm)
- 165 cm
- Weight (kg)
- 65 kg
- Nickname
- Mini
- College/s
- New Plymouth Girls High School
- Signed From
- New Zealand Sevens
- Junior Club/s
- Clifton Rugby Club (Rugby Union)
- Status
- Active
NZWarriors.com
I'm sure ill be the shit guy here but I'm assuming they were trying? Like, didn't she just sign a big contract to come and be a part of the Warriors getting back into the comp. To then be like thanks for the money, played a couple of games, I'm out. You would never be able to ask a woman if they are planning to have kids but then if you are signing them to a deal and then bang they are pregnant and you missed other players because of it or based your game around her etc, then this is a pretty big deal to the team.
You should've stopped once you realised you were being the shit guy.
NZWarriors.com
Haha mate, I had this exact same conversation with my Mrs.
It does feel shit to say, but I feel that's a super valid conversation. Deffo had to make sure I worded it in a decent way to the Mrs, but yeah it's a interesting topic imo.
For what it's worth, after reading the policy re: pregnancy that @tajhay posted earlier, it seems that clubs are able to replace that player once they're officially hapu, but yeah it's a bit challenging if you're made a play for a specific player who ends up getting pregnant and then you've missed out on other potential targets as a result of that
Did you end up sleeping on the couch that night?
Who the fuck said she could have a baby mid season! Start a sack Brake page immediately!!!
NZWarriors.com
Even if the player was open during contract negotiations about trying for a baby. If you didn't sign them for that you'd likely be open to a lawsuit.
They could have also been trying for a while (IE, previous contracts).
As far as team disruptions go. Her teammates would be happy for her, so you could argue there would be a bit of a boost in morale. Sure, getting a replacement is a challenge. If you keep an eye on the local game you may have an eye on a few players who close and missed out or you were thinking of for the following year.
I still think you are better off treating her well. She is happy with the club and still feels a part of the club. When she is ready to return, the club hasn't burnt that bridge.
They could have also been trying for a while (IE, previous contracts).
As far as team disruptions go. Her teammates would be happy for her, so you could argue there would be a bit of a boost in morale. Sure, getting a replacement is a challenge. If you keep an eye on the local game you may have an eye on a few players who close and missed out or you were thinking of for the following year.
I still think you are better off treating her well. She is happy with the club and still feels a part of the club. When she is ready to return, the club hasn't burnt that bridge.
I think it’s a different situation to a normal job with salary based on your performance and the expectations are higher.
Still Jacinda could have a baby while leading the country so sometimes you just have to put the family first.
We had a shit scenario play out at work a year or two back. High ranking position and within 6 weeks of starting, the person in question announced their pregnancy and it was actually only a month or two away. They then took 12 months off before understanding anything about the role and we ended up having to get a secondment into that position, but not without periods of time without leadership, disruption, etc etc.
Unfortunately it was also a diversity hire - i.e. they weren't hired because of their skills relevant to the role (of which there were none), but simply to make the business appear better. Maybe the business knew she was pregnant when they hired her, or maybe not?
Apparently it isn't supposed to be shit or annoying, so I won't say it bothers me..
Back on the Warriors though, the prime playing years of an NRLW player are always going to coincide with what is generally the prime years of becoming a parent. It is just one of those things that can and will be a part of navigating an NRLW roster, I guess. Also, I'm sure all of the promo material and few games with Michaela have been well worth it for getting more eyes on the team and excitement.
NZWarriors.com
Are some of you insinuating that risking missing out on having a child is fair if it helps an employer and their customers/you product consumers?
You do realise that there is a limited fertility window for human beings and that putting off starting families is a risk that may mean you miss out on pretty much the most important thing in life for most of us?
You do realise that there is a limited fertility window for human beings and that putting off starting families is a risk that may mean you miss out on pretty much the most important thing in life for most of us?
Not at all. And ultimately it is personal choice as to which is more important. For some women having a child isn't important at all and they only live for their career - which is something I struggle to understand, but good for them, I guess?
The problem is that the timing can work out pretty shit for critical roles. BUT, if that person is the right person, then the business should be able and WANT to be flexible with it.
I think Michaela Brake is a great example of someone that was the right person and worth having even for a short period of time. Also, who knows what the future holds for her and the Warriors?