A CHAMPION netballer could
be banned from the Commonwealth Games village because she wants to express
milk for her baby son.
Janine Ilitch is under pressure to give up
breastfeeding before the Games begin, even though her baby will not be in the
village with her.
Ilitch wants to feed baby Heath by using a breast
pump throughout the 10-day tournament.
Team officials have voiced concerns to her.
However, the mother of two said it was her right and was prepared to take her
own expressed milk into the village.
"I'm sure there's a way to do it," she said.
"I feel very strongly that I want to continue
breastfeeding. It's my right. I'm just an ordinary woman who likes feeding and
I want it to be my decision when I stop."
But Australian coach Norma Plummer said
facilities may not be appropriate.
She said she was under the impression the
34-year-old planned to quit breastfeeding before the Games and she did not
know if the player's request could now be accommodated.
"It's a delicate issue. She told us she wouldn't be
breastfeeding and that's the problem," Plummer said.
"I can't promise her anything because we haven't
seen the layout or what's available.
"We don't have our own bedrooms and facilities.
It's not that easy.
"There are also other people to consider.
"There's not a lot of room and the players might
need their rest and she is in there expressing (breast milk)."
Plummer said Netball Australia supported Ilitch in
her Games preparation, paying for her mum Helen to fly to Canberra to help
look after Heath during training camps.
Plummer said medical staff also were concerned the
superfit Ilitch would lose weight if she continued to breastfeed.
"The doctor is seriously concerned about her losing
weight," Plummer said.
"She's just dropped the weight right off and that
will impact on the team."
A dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Ilitch
has been extraordinarily dedicated in her bid to compete for Australia again
after Heath's birth in September.
She trained throughout her pregnancy and moved her
young family to Canberra so she could be close to the Australian Institute of
Sport.
At last week's training camp in Canberra, Ilitch
joined her teammates and stayed in residence at the AIS.
Ilitch's mum looked after the baby while the
netballer trained.
