TRAILBLAZING AFL field umpire Eleni Tee has already made history by returning to the game's highest level after becoming a mother. Now, as she prepares to step away for the birth of her second child, she plans to do it all again.

About to go on maternity leave ahead of her baby's arrival early next year, the League's first female field umpire is targeting a 2028 comeback, although childbirth and her recovery will ultimately shape that timeline.

After welcoming her son, Levi, with her husband and former boundary umpire, Dillon, in February 2024, Tee returned 13 months later for Adelaide's clash with St Kilda at Adelaide Oval, becoming the first mother to field umpire an AFL match. She had rejoined pre-season training the previous November.

Since Tee's senior debut in May 2017, Jordyn Pearson, who debuted earlier this year, has followed in her footsteps, with the pair the only women in VFL/AFL history to field umpire at the top level.

Field umpiring requires significant endurance, with elite officials regularly covering up to 18km in a match. Following Levi’s birth, Tee allowed herself time to rebuild her body for those demands.

"I was really lucky; the first time around, I stayed as fit as I could," Tee told AFL.com.au.

"I was lucky enough to run through most of my pregnancy and keep fit in lots of different ways: Pilates, swimming, and strength training. I also worked with a pelvic floor physio through pregnancy and post-pregnancy.

"So, I gave myself the best chance at getting my body as ready to go as I could. Having almost a year off gave me time to not worry about returning quickly and allowed me to take my time if there were any setbacks.

"I've loved seeing, from a physical perspective, people like (Australian long-distance runners) Jess Stenson and Genevieve Gregson return and be running better than they ever have. Things like that inspire me to know that if I really want to do it, I can do it physically."

With a decade of experience at the elite level, Tee knew what was required to regain match fitness. She gradually rebuilt her running load with her strength and conditioning coaches and kept up with umpire coaching sessions online before rejoining pre-season training.

That first comeback has given Tee a blueprint for doing it again, although she knows having a toddler and another baby will bring new challenges.

"Hopefully, but it's always different. I have a toddler running around now, so it's not the same as being able to rest and exercise when you want, and I've probably felt a little bit worse this time around,” she said of following the same path for her second pregnancy.

"That's certainly the plan, but as we know, everything takes time and different things happen. You could face injuries over that time as you try to come back, or have setbacks with the birth itself. So it's certainly something I know I need to be flexible and prepared for as best I can. But I think I am lucky to give myself as much of a chance as possible of being ready to go."

The four-umpire system should also help make a second comeback possible, even as the physical demands of the game continue to rise.

"I wouldn't want to go out there and feel like I couldn't do my job to the best of my ability. But I certainly think going to the four-umpire system has reduced the load," she said.

"It will be challenging to come back. But particularly with the support I have around me and the four-umpire system, I feel like if I really put my mind to it, I can achieve it."

Rebuilding her body, however, was only part of Tee's first comeback. Returning to the AFL also meant navigating interstate travel, breastfeeding and life with a young family.

Female goal umpires had previously navigated motherhood, with Chelsea Roffey and Sally Boud helping establish support systems for returning mothers, but Tee's role brought the added challenge of regular interstate travel from South Australia.

Unlike state-based goal and boundary umpires who largely officiate locally, AFL field umpires travel extensively across Australia every week.

"Because of Chelsea (Roffey), and then Sally (Boud) as well, a lot of the systems were in place already," Tee said.

"Travel was a little bit different, but we just have such a fantastic team in the umpire department who put us first as people, and then second as umpires and athletes. We're lucky that we can have open and honest conversations about how we're feeling or what they can do to further support us. That has just continued in this space as well."

The timing of Levi's birth made breastfeeding, training and travel more manageable by the time Tee returned to umpiring.

"I've been very fortunate with the timing of my two babies. When the (men’s) season recommenced, I was 12 months plus in that journey, so it has been quite manageable in that respect," Tee said.

"In terms of returning to training, you need to think about those things a lot more, obviously keeping yourself hydrated for training, but also for breastfeeding.

"It certainly is a big challenge in terms of timing, particularly when babies can be pretty unpredictable."

That equation will change with two children. Tee hopes her family can again travel together when she returns, whether that means travelling with the new baby and Dillon or having Levi join them as well.

"It's certainly going to be one of the most challenging parts coming up to returning," she said of match-day travel.

"When I had Levi, I was fortunate that Dillon and Levi travelled with me for the first part of the (men's) season. I was breastfeeding, but it also just relieved the anxiety of being apart from him. So that was wonderful that the AFL was able to support me to do that.

"I certainly know that with two, it's going to be different. But we certainly endeavour to try and do something similar when I return in terms of travelling together in some aspect, whether it's just with the baby or with Dillon and Levi as well. I've been really lucky to be supported so well by the AFL to do what I needed to do to travel and umpire those games."

Football can be consuming for players and umpires alike, with split-second decisions capable of lingering well beyond the final siren. For Tee, coming home to Levi has put those moments into perspective.

"Knowing that I've got a little boy and a family at home who love me no matter what happens on the football field puts it into perspective," she said.

"It really wouldn't matter to them if I umpired or didn't. It reminds me that I do it because I really enjoy it, and I want to do the best I can to serve the game. But one decision isn't the be-all and end-all. That perspective has certainly changed since having a family."

That changed perspective has coincided with what Tee considers some of the best umpiring of her career. More importantly, her return has provided another example that motherhood need not mark the end of an elite sporting career.

"I feel really lucky that I've been able to get back and umpire some of my best games," she said.

"It's just about knowing that if you want to do something, don't let old barriers stand in the way, because they certainly aren't there anymore. Surround yourself with supportive people and have open conversations with your boss or manager to help them know what you need to give you the best chance of being successful.

"If I can play a part in inspiring someone, whether in football, another sport, or another industry, to believe they can achieve their dreams, I feel really fortunate to do that."