When Mainland Pouākai basketballer Esra McGoldrick returns to the court, her son Nikau will be watching his mum play for the first time.

Since welcoming him in May, McGoldrick has been working towards a return to the sport she loves, balancing training with motherhood and learning to give her body time.

The prospect of having her family there for that first game back makes the occasion even more meaningful.

“It would be pretty special. I think there’ll definitely be a lot of emotion, especially knowing how much has happened since I last played,” McGoldrick said.

“Having [partner] Codie and Nikau there would make it even more special. Nikau will be there, so he’ll get to watch his mum play for the first time!”

McGoldrick last played competitively midway through the Pouākai’s 2025 season. But in the first weeks after Nikau’s birth, a basketball comeback was far from her immediate priority.

“Honestly, basketball wasn’t really my focus at first. I was just figuring out how to be a mum and recover from birth.”

She knew she wanted to return eventually, without setting herself a deadline.

“As my body started feeling better and I was able to move more, it slowly started feeling like, ‘Okay, maybe I can actually do this.’”

Since then, the work has involved rebuilding her strength, working with her physio and gradually increasing her running and jumping.

“It’s been a lot of little steps rather than one big comeback,” she said.

“The biggest challenge has probably been being patient. I’m definitely someone who wants to get stuck in, so learning to listen to my body and not rush things has been a big one.”

While McGoldrick has been targeting September 26, her return remains dependent on medical and physio clearance and her body being ready. She is continuing to build her tolerance for running, jumping and contact before a playing date is confirmed.

Alongside those preparations, she is finding her way through a daily routine built around Nikau.

“We have training, strength and conditioning, physio and recovery, and then I’m straight back into mum mode,” she said.

“He usually comes along with me or is with Codie, so I’m very lucky to have that support. It’s definitely a different routine, but I’m getting used to it.”

McGoldrick credited her family, Codie, her physio team and Pouākai staff with helping make her return possible.

“The Pouākai have been really supportive throughout the whole pregnancy and return, which I’m really grateful for.”

Her teammates have also welcomed the newest addition to her basketball life.

“They’ve basically just treated me like one of the girls again, while also being very excited about Nikau coming along!”

Becoming a mum has given McGoldrick a fresh perspective on the game.

“Basketball is still a big part of my life, but it’s not my whole identity anymore. I’m also doing it as a mum now, which is pretty cool.”

When she does pull on the Pouākai jersey again, she will bring that appreciation with her.

“I think I appreciate being out there even more, and I’m just really grateful that I get the opportunity to come back and do something I love while also being a mum.”

The Mainland Pouākai open their season against Southern Hoiho at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre in Christchurch on Saturday September 26.

Supporters can bring the family with a free child’s ticket accompanying a paying adult in Bronze seating. The Mates Package offers a free third ticket when two adult tickets are purchased in Silver seating.

Tickets are available through Ticketek, including the Mates Package.