Being an athlete is a lifestyle that extends far beyond the field. There is so much focus on performance, stats, and scores that athletes lose sight of everything their sport offers. There is a side to being an athlete that most people don’t see: the constant physical and emotional demands, the impact on mental health, and the relationships that come with it. While Beyond the Baller (BTB) wants to help soccer players excel on the field, it also aims to empower and remind athletes of who they are off of it.
BTB was founded by Hannah Adler and Cheyenne Shorts, both former professional soccer players in some of the top leagues in the world, including the NWSL and the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Hannah has recently stepped into playing professional beach soccer, representing the United States, where she was named 2023 & 2024 U.S. Soccer Women’s Beach Player of the Year. Before their professional careers, Cheyenne and Hannah met while playing at the University of Denver and quickly became best friends and captains of the D1 program together. What started as a mere business idea in college became a reality in March of 2023, when BTB was formed. The brand continues under the leadership of Hannah Adler.
While BTB offers various services to inspire and support female soccer players, these options are available to all genders and ages as well. Private and group training is offered, with camps and clinics in multiple locations throughout the year. But, there is more to playing than what is done during games and practice. BTB also provides mentorship workshops with current female professional soccer players, offering unique insight into game day preparation, building confidence, leadership, and how to get recruited to play in college. Plus, BTB offers merchandise that represents their brand and encourages female soccer players.
While mentorship and training are essential, the people leading these sessions matter just as much. Many female soccer players, at any level, have never had a head female coach or trainer. BTB wants to help change this by creating more opportunities for girls to be coached by women.
Adler emphasized the importance of having female representation in coaching saying that, “Having a female coach is incredibly important for young female athletes because it provides them with a role model who understands their unique experiences on and off the field. Representation matters. When girls see women in coaching positions, they are more likely to believe they can achieve their own goals in the sport. I had never had a female coach growing up, so I aspire to be the coach that I never had, and empower others to do the same.”
Ultimately, BTB looks to inspire and give back to the next generation of young female soccer players. BTB is partnered with Girls Soccer Worldwide (GSWW), a nonprofit that empowers young girls in underfunded communities through sports, education, and leadership. BTB will donate 10% of its apparel sales to GSWW and other similar nonprofits. Given BTB's mission, Adler saw partnering with GSWW as a no-brainer.
"Partnering with Girls Soccer Worldwide was a natural fit for Beyond the Baller because both organizations share a mission of empowering young female soccer players," Adler said. "Giving back to the next generation is at the heart of what BTB stands for, and working with GSWW allows us to support girls who might not have access to the same resources and opportunities. Through this partnership, we can help provide mentorship and experiences that build confidence and inspire young players to keep pushing toward their dreams. It’s about using the power of soccer to uplift and create lasting change in their lives."
BTB aims to be more than just a brand; It wants to encourage female soccer players on and off the field. BTB will create more opportunities for the next generation of young female soccer players, through training, mentorship, and giving back.
Written by Ava Morales (College Soccer Player at Rowan University and BTB Intern)