In a world where sports has long been viewed through a gendered lens, breaking the barrier requires immense courage and determination. Junior, Brynne Alia is one of the few girls who have joined the Shadow Ridge Football Team as she has only started playing it this year. Alia is inspiring others to pursue their dreams, regardless of societal expectations, and making a big impact on and off the field. 

Alia has been able to get herself out of her comfort zone to try new things other than her main sports which are flag football and soccer. Alia also didn’t play her main sport in order to be able to play football.

Alia says, “My favorite part is that I get to experience something so different and make many friends from it.”

Alia has faced many challenges during her new experience playing football but with the support and encouragement of her coaches she finds a way to adjust and work hard to do the best she can.

Alia says, “My flag football coach, Dubois, convinced me to try out because I’ve always wanted to do it for fun and in soccer I’ve always had a ‘good foot’.”

Alia has been supported during this new experience. While she’s been playing football she learns new advice to give to other people which is to ignore all of the negative talk, and to not let other opinions interfere with the goals she set for herself.

Alia says, “I think many people get surprised when I tell them I play tackle football but I haven’t heard anyone judging me poorly for it.”

Feeling out of place sometimes with certain obstacles is very normal. Alia has become more confident and more open minded while playing with the boys; since it’s her first time playing she’s learned to understand those athletes and become one of them.

Alia has been working very hard to be successful with her sport and pushing herself to the max while having support  from all of her friends and coaches and feeling like she has another team of family at Shadow Ridge High School.