Joanna Westberg is ending her career.
It’s not just sad feelings when the childhood dream is over now. 32 years very pregnant.
– I would like to spend all my time with the new family member, Westberg tells Sportbladet.
“Thank you, handball!”
With these words, the former national team star started Johanna Westberg Posted on Instagram. The 32-year-old explained that his career, which began at the age of eight at Skuru IK, is now over.
– He’s feeling a little sad anyway. Westberg explains to Sportbladet that there was some double sentiment.
The lack of handball isn’t the only feeling Westberg will have in the near future. There is also happiness waiting. In a week and a half, she is expected to give birth to her second child.
– I feel like it’s time for me to spend more time with my family. I haven’t played matches since November and I feel very far away. So, it was a little easier to process the decision to quit than if I had played a game yesterday and made the decision today.
I learned
Westberg is looking forward to her son, who was born in 2019, to have a brother.
When she had her first child, the focus was on getting back. Westberg is relieved now that he has made the decision not to invest in a return to the handball field.
– The last time I was in a pregnant baby bubble was very difficult and I needed to think about training right away. I’m going to want to spend all my time with the new family member and I’m really looking forward to being able to enjoy the baby bubble a little more.
Opens to return (?)
Back to the 32-year-old’s Instagram post.
When Westberg wrote it, I felt “Okay”. It became even more emotional when the words were read out loud to her partner.
– Then it became very clear.
In the text, she made it clear that her career was over and that we saw her for the last time in elite handball. Or was it?
“All the fun is over – and now my handball journey is over, at least for the time being,” Westberg wrote.
For Sportbladet, she develops her ideas.
You shouldn’t shut any doors, but as it seems now, I wouldn’t bet you’d go back. I think it can be difficult to combine the life of a young child with an investment of the highest level ever. Now I will focus on giving my kids time.
“It would be exciting”
First, you must be on maternity leave. Then what many call “real” working life awaits.
– I’ve never really worked on “really,” Westberg says and laughs.
– Yes, I worked a little in preschool and had a simple temporary job. But I didn’t get a “real” job unless I counted handball as one. It will be exciting and see what it can offer.
Before becoming a professional, Westberg studied economics at the Stockholm School of Economics. She also took courses in leadership, development, sustainable development, nutrition and performance.
She doesn’t yet know what path Westberg will take in her career. But the former handball player hopes that her education will provide job search opportunities in the future.