Only 21 and at the start of her career, Sydney FC goalkeeper Brianna Edwards has already achieved what others her age could only dream about.
Returning to her hometown of Sydney this season to play for the most dominant club in the Women's A-League competition, Edwards has already represented two countries on the international stage, played college soccer in the United States and appeared in several A-League matches in her short career to date.
Moving out of home at the age of 17, Edwards has spent the past three seasons with the Wellington Phoneix, where she has continued to develop her game and earn a call-up for the New Zealand national team.
Her impressive form at the Phoenix caught the attention of Sydney FC officials, who were on the lookout to replace Jada Mathyssen-Whyman - an Australian representative at the U17s, U20s, and U23s level - after she departed to the Damallsvenskan.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview withย All Sprt, the former student of St Clare's College Waverly detailed her sporting journey and future aspirations following her "dream move back home".
"It's always been a dream to move back home and play football and it happened quicker than I expected," the 21-year-old goalkeeper toldย All Sprt.
"One of the games that I decided I wanted to play professional football was the Sydney FC and Perth Glory final in Sydney and getting to come back and play where that dream started is just so exciting.
"I moved out of home when I was 17, but it was probably my first long period of living away from my family (at the Wellington Phoenix).
"You go six to eight months at a time without seeing the people that you love the most, but it was amazing. New Zealand's a second home to me, especially now and being part of the national team.
"There's no greater honour and nothing can replicate the feeling of standing with your teammates and your friends and singing the national anthem and representing your country."
Starting her journey at the age of 8 for Pagewood, it wasn't until the middle of her teenage years that Edwards believed that she had what it took to excel at a higher level.
Unlike many other players, Edwards was a standout at a young age, which saw her represent the U17s Australian national team. Surprisingly, she revealed that she had never seen herself playing the sport professionally until her later years.
"From when I was about 8 to 13, I didn't really want to play. I always used to tell my mum that I didn't want to play football. I just wanted to do dancing," she said.
Asked why she chose the goalkeeper position, she responded, "Probably until I was about 12, I just kind of played everywhere, but I always would end up pushed in goals as I was actually quite tall when I was younger but just kind of stopped growing."
"I just kind of got pushed in goals, and then I thought I decided at some point that I didn't like running, so it was better to be in the goals, and I could do all that than having to run around and get tired."
Away from the soccer field, Edwards is in a relationship with former Central Coast Mariners and U17s Young Matildas footballer Alexi Karrys-Stahl, who she credits as her biggest supporter, most significant influence and number one fan.
"She's pushed me so much, and she's really been there through it all," she added.
"I had a bit of a rough time at the end of last year and coming this season. She's probably been my number one supporter, and I wouldn't have been here without her.
Admitting that it would be a dream to play together one day on the field for the same team, the two have previously competed against each other in the NPL competition.
That time, it was Karrys-Stahl who had the last laugh, scoring against the young goalkeeper.
"There's definitely lots of banter! We player against each other in the NPL and she scored a banger against me, which was very annoying," Edwards chuckled.
"I do hear a lot from her family (about it)."
She also spoke about the importance of her parents and siblings to her soccer journey, even though they may not always live in the same country.
"If my mum didn't keep pushing me to go to football trials and my parents didn't come to every single game (I wouldn't be where I am).
"My dad came to as many Wellington games as he possibly could and my sisters they're just always there for me. I couldn't do it without them."
Rounding out the interview, Edwards is keen on taking her talents overseas one day to compete in either the Women's Super League (WSL) in England or the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, where she attended college.
This would see her follow in the footsteps of several former Sydney FC players, such as Sam Kerr, Cortnee Vine, Sarah Hunter, Charlie Rule and many others who have walked out onto the field at Allianz Stadium.
She is also eager to continue her international career with the New Zealand national team and hopefully get the opportunity to play in the next FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil in 2027 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"A 100 per cent (I see myself playing overseas one day). My number one goal would be playing in a World Cup and playing at the Olympics," Edwards added.
"Then after that, playing over in the English league or over in America has been a dream."
