Netballer allowed to use breast pump
By Dan Harrison
March 1,
2006 - 5:31PM
Australian netballer Janine Ilitch will be able to breastfeed in the
Commonwealth Games village, after Netball Australia threw their support behind
her, and the Commonwealth Games Association confirmed the necessary facilities
would be provided.
"We absolutely support Janine's right to breastfeed during the Commonwealth
Games," Netball Australia CEO Lindsay Cane told reporters in Melbourne this
afternoon.
"We are a female sport and we are going to make sure that women at the
highest level can continue to play their sport," Ms Cane said.
"This is a really fine example of how our sport backs our women... any of our
athletes have a right to choose as women what they will do and we are absolutely
supportive of that," she said.
Ms Cane said netball coach Norma Plummer was "absolutely supportive of
Janine's position." Earlier, Ms Plummer had been quoted saying it was a
"delicate issue" and that she was unsure whether there would be adequate
facilities in the village for Ilitch to express breastmilk.
Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite this
afternoon confirmed Ilitch would be able to breastfeed in the village.
He said teams were allocated one bedroom for every two athletes, but the
netball team could arrange their allocation to give Ilitch her own room if they
wished. Mr Crosswhite said the team would share lounge and kitchen facilities,
including a fridge.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association said earlier that any move to stop
Ilitch expressing would be discriminatory.
"She must be feeling really stressed about it, it's not a good start for
her," president Margaret Grove said.
"It's hard to know what they're worried about. I think she's definitely being
discriminated against. It's every baby's right to be breastfed."
Ms Grove said Ilitch would simply need a power point, in the event she was
using an electric pump, and a fridge to keep the milk cool.
Ilitch, 34, gave birth to baby Heath in September.
theage.com.au with AAP
