Motherhood has come on and off the pitch for Orange CYMS' Jade Georgiou in season 2019.
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After sitting out the back half of the 2018 season due to pregnancy, the former Hockeyroo has flown into this year as the young CYMS squad has secured two wins in two games.
They beat Ex-Services' 1-nil in the opening round before a 4-nil over Bathurst City in round two, with Georgiou finding the back of the net twice in that rematch of last year's minor semi-final.
I find it hilarious that I now turn up as a mum, it's a whole new perspective on the game.
- CYMS' Jade Georgiou
"Our first game wasn't quite up to our standards but we managed to come away with a win which was pleasing, last week was a much better game," Georgiou said.
"I just had a few opportunities in front of goal and if you hit it in the right direction you're always a chance."
With the Pete Shea-coached CYMS squad younger than ever, including Abby Chapman at just 13, Georgiou has taken on a more nurturing role than in seasons gone by due to her estimation of the outfit's average age of 16.
"I think I've definitely become more nurturing so far this season than I have in the past. I find it hilarious that I now turn up as a mum, it's a whole new perspective on the game," she said.
Returning after giving birth is a huge challenge, and Georgiou said it was no different for her after she was "quite fresh" going into the opening match of the year.
"The first game was one of the hardest games of hockey I've ever played and getting my body ready physically was quite tough, but the second game felt a lot better," she said.
"I've been doing cross-fit and gym work to get ready."
This week's match-up against Bathurst St Pats is the first time the two clubs have met since the Bathurst side knocked CYMS out of the semi-final last year, and while Georgiou sat that match she is as eager for revenge as the rest of the CYMS' players.
"It was hard to watch it from the sidelines but the girls will be fired up for it," she said.
CYMS host St Pats from 1.55pm at Orange Hockey Centre, one of two Premier League games at the precinct, with Confederates' derby against Ex-Services beforehand at 12.30pm.
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