Brett Is a Triple Threat on the Field

Youthink chats with grade 12 Calgarian Rhiannon Brett about getting into soccer and post-high school goals.

Many people play soccer for the fun of it, but very few have the passion and love for the game that drives Rhiannon Brett. This grade 12 student from St. Mary’s High School in Calgary has been running around the soccer field for the past 11 years, now playing for her high-school team, the Northstar Junior League, and the PQR women’s league. At 5'7", Brett is skilled and versatile enough to play three positions: midfield, defence and forward. Having won over 20 medals with the promise of more to come, Brett is a soccer star to keep on your radar. Before heading off to one of her games, Youthink caught up with Brett to talk about the sport she loves.

YT: How did soccer end up becoming your sport?
RB: Everyone [starts] playing soccer at six and I just couldn’t stop!

YT: What do you love about soccer?
RB: I love how it is continuous and you rely less on the coach, but more on your teammates.

YT: What are some of your proudest accomplishments as a soccer player?
RB: I was named captain this year for the St. Mary’s girls soccer team. Outside of school, I’ve received many medals while playing for Northstar the last two years.

YT: How do you manage to balance being a dedicated athlete with schoolwork?
RB: Since I am a full IB student and am part of two different bands at school, sometimes I have to sacrifice band practice or sleep for soccer games. As for school, I feel that the more I play and workout, the better my academic performance becomes, so it doesn’t affect my schoolwork in a negative way.

YT: What challenges have you faced so far in your soccer career?
RB: Last year I tore my ACL while playing in a Notre Dame versus Mary’s game. I had to have extensive physiotherapy and surgery on my knee. That meant no soccer for 10 months, which was really hard for me.

YT: How hard was rehab and how difficult was it to play your first game back from injury?
RB: It was very difficult to get back into the game. It took [several] months and an $1,800 knee brace. I felt restricted playing again because my knee brace limited me from doing the things I normally could do.

YT: What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve experienced while playing in a game?
RB: I had a game in Kelowna three years ago and it was very hot. During that game, I was playing on the wing and my hair wouldn’t stay up! So for five minutes all I was doing was alternating between throwing the ball and tying my hair up.

YT: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions you follow?
RB: I always wear my soccer ball pendant necklace. Before games I always [put on] my right shin pad before my left, and my left shoe before my right one.

YT: What goals do you have for this season and after high school?
RB: I would like to stay uninjured and enjoy the rest of the season. In the long run, I would like to continue being involved with soccer and to help people love it like I do. I am also going to go into the U of C neuroscience faculty, then to medical school.

Do you know an outstanding student?
Nominate them for Student Star by emailing oliver@youthink.ca