Sophomore Ava Colley is the only girl on the varsity football team. Colley started nine years ago. She played in the Recreational Football League for six years which mainly focuses on training the player. Her dad and uncle also used to play, but they haven’t in a long time. It has become one of Colley’s favorite things and she would like to hopefully make it a career someday.
My goal is that if I’m good enough and can make it to the next level, I can make it a career, if not then that’s fine, too. I understand why it wouldn’t be [a future career],” Colley said. “It didn’t really take much courage to sign up and join the team. It’s something I’ve always done growing up watching football with my dad, and then just wanting to continue playing,”
Colley feels comfortable with the boys on the team, and enjoys the sportsmanship. She feels that this year the attitude and teamwork has been great. Everyone has done their part, and they lift each other up.
“I feel like we get along really well. It’s a little different for me when they’re all talking to each other, but we all get along pretty well. Some of the reasons I like being on the football team is the camaraderie. all of us working together, wanting to be better, wanting our teammates to be better, and it’s something we all enjoy doing. Even with new people that we have this year, it’s still a good experience, and people are still learning the sport, so I’m trying to help lead everyone,” Colley said.
The team often struggles to fill all their spots. Now with Rocktown opening there are even fewer kids joining the team.
“On last year’s team there were a lot more fights on the sidelines and arguing. This year there isn’t much of that. We always try to make sure everyone keeps their head up,” Colley said.
The worst injury she got during a game was getting hit in the head and having a pain down her spine. It took her about a week to recover. She had to make sure she was careful and didn’t get hit in the head again.
“I got hit on both sides of my head at the same time and felt a tingling sensation down my spine, but it was more over to my shoulder blade area. I did still practice and play, but it definitely was a little bit more concerning because it was by my spine,” Colley said.
Through everything her mom has been there for her and she is her biggest supporter. Colley’s mom has believed in her from the jump. After losing a game, or winning a game. Colley always has her mom to go to about it. She helps her realize that just because she lost one game it doesn’t mean she’ll lose the rest.
“She has allowed me to play ever since I could. She wanted me to get right into it when they let me start playing, and she is always there at all my games. She always wants me to be the best I possibly can,” Colley said.
Colley encourages other girls to do what they want and take a chance at joining a sport even if it is a “boys” sport.
“I’d say just come out and try it. It’s gonna be hard, it’s gonna be difficult if you haven’t played, but it’s a place where you can learn teamwork, discipline, you get to meet new people, and if you fall in love with the sport it could be a future career or just the thing you’ve been looking for.” Colley said.
When Colley started doing Recreational Football League she got some weird looks for being the only girl. She ignored them and realized as she got older fewer people started acknowledging it.
