Kalani Ruri’s name has long been known in New Zealand volleyball circles. A standout youth talent, she first represented Aotearoa on the international stage as part of the New Zealand Youth Women’s team, where her on-court presence and athleticism quickly turned heads. Kalani went on to play NCAA Division I volleyball at San Diego State University in the United States, competing at one of the highest levels of collegiate sport.
After stepping away from the court to embrace motherhood, Kalani Ruri is making her return to New Zealand’s high performance volleyball scene with our Volley Ferns… this time, not just as an athlete, but also as a mum.
“I didn’t want to put pressure on myself to play like I did before,” Kalani shares. “My body’s been through something massive, and I’ve had to really learn to understand and respect that on the way back.”
Kalani’s return hasn’t been about rushing. After receiving her initial six-week medical clearance, she waited two months before easing back into training. “I trained the next day… completely missed the ball,” she laughs. “It was humbling, but it was part of the journey.”
What’s been crucial in this comeback is her support system, a tight-knit bubble of whānau who help her strike a balance between performance and parenting. “My mum, our whānau and Maia are amazing. Sometimes Mum will walk around with the baby during my training sessions. Other times, Maia will come home from his own training so I can head out. It’s a real village effort.”
Kalani credits this network and the understanding culture within the Volley Ferns programme as being instrumental. “Big ups to Adam and the coaching staff. They’ve always made it clear that family comes first. When Adam reached out at the end of 2023, I knew I probably wouldn’t be ready to put myself back out there until the end of 2024. But there was never any pressure. Just support.”
Training now looks a bit different. “I’m not doing anything excessive outside of scheduled volleyball. I feel the physical toll more, especially after running and jumping. But being on the court helps keep me sane. Volleyball has been constant in my life. It’s easy to get caught up in motherhood, so being back in that sporting environment… it just feels like home.”
Kalani also reflects on inspiration from other athlete mums. “I remember looking at Whitney Lauenstein, seeing her go through college with a baby and still playing at the top level. It was empowering. It helped me see that it’s possible.”
Still, she admits the mental juggle is real. “There’s always that ‘what if’… what if the baby needs me and I’m in the middle of a game? What if he’s sick? But I’m learning to trust the people around me. As mums we feel like we’re the only ones who can do it all, but that’s just not true.”
Looking ahead, Kalani hasn’t ruled out the idea of playing professionally again. “That thought hasn’t left. But I’m also quite happy with how everything’s going right now. Coaching is something I’m also interested in exploring more.”
To other māmā thinking about returning to sport, Kalani offers some advice:
“Have fun. You get caught up thinking, ‘I’m a mum now, things won’t be the same.’ And yeah, they won’t… but you can still enjoy the trainings, the games, the people. Just look at it through a positive lens, even when the environment feels intimidating.”
Kalani’s return is more than a comeback. It’s a statement of resilience, support, and joy. Her journey reflects not only a love for the game, but a powerful reminder that wāhine can thrive in both sport and motherhood without needing to choose one over the other.
