Katrina Gorry believes that West Ham United are 'paving the way' in their work around highlighting motherhood and barriers faced by female athletes when making the decision to start a family.
The Australian international joined the Hammers in January 2024, moving to east London from Sweden with her partner Clara and two-year-old daughter Harper, who has become a star in her own right since her arrival.
Indeed, Gorry too has made a brilliant start to life in England, helping Rehanne Skinner's side to wins against Arsenal and Bristol City, as well as a draw against Manchester United last time out in the Barclays Women's Super League.
Off the pitch, West Ham United released their original documentary, Ómarsson on International Women's Day [Friday 8 March], which tells the story of Dagný Brynjarsdóttir's journey with pregnancy as a professional sportswoman.
Gorry makes a short cameo in the documentary, and also spoke to media ahead of watching with her teammates for the first time at Curzon Bloomsbury in central London.
"I think this documentary is important and is going to impact a lot of people", she told West Ham TV before watching Ómarsson at the exclusive premiere event.
"To be here to celebrate as team and as a Club what Dags [Dagný Brynjarsdóttir] has done I think is super special.
"Women are absolute warriors, regardless of motherhood, I think the things that we go through in life is pretty incredible and we always seem to come out on top.
"To bring a little human into her life and to compete at the top level is just incredible. To see Dags do it once was brilliant, but to see her do it twice is going to be absolutely incredible."
"I'm really glad that we as a Club can be there for her to help her along and to share the tough times and good times with her."
🩷 Mini was surprised by a very special mascot last weekend 🥹
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) March 10, 2024
Wishing all our Hammers' mums a very happy #MothersDay! 💐 pic.twitter.com/QSaNZ8LY1Y
“In the last couple of years I think women have showed that they can come back or even come back better from having children,” Gorry continued. "It gives you an extra reason to play, and I think having the support of the Club makes it so much easier. I feel like you can play better football when you know that you and your family are supported.
"For a long time, I thought I'd have to hang up my boots to start a family, so it's so nice to see that Clubs are changing. I think West Ham are paving the way in how they've been with me and Dagný.
"It's really special what West Ham have created here and I think you will see more Clubs following suit and you're going to see longer careers and better players for it."
Harper was involved in the midfielder's announcement video, and since then, has been at home matches supporting her mother.
In the team's last match against Manchester United, Harper surprised her mum in the tunnel to be a very special mascot, walking out on top of her shoulders at Chigwell Construction Stadium and blowing kisses to the fans!
"Nothing can replicate it [moments like that], nothing can beat it. It doesn't matter how you play, it doesn't matter what the score was in the game, Harper always has a smile on her face, she's always excited to make dance, to be around the team and be around the girls.
"To share those sort of memories that is super special, and, you know, to sit on the couch with her in 10 years time to show her all the places we went the journey that we went on, the Clubs that we were at, and the people we got to be with, I think is going to be pretty amazing," Gorry said.
