Our athletics build confidence, wellness and healthy lifestyles.

At the Ann Richards School, we believe that success means exploring the world beyond academics. Research shows that girls who are involved in sports develop confidence, a healthy body image, and a work ethic that extends to other areas in their life.

Our students develop healthy lifestyles through wellness programs that discuss proper nutrition, regular exercise and healthy behaviors.

We currently offer the following athletic sports:

• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Track and Field
• Cross Country
• Middle School Tennis
• Basketball
• Softball

Contact Meg Brown, Athletic Director, for more information: meg.brown@austinisd.org.

Note: According to University Interscholastic League rules for middle school, 7th & 8th grade students are allowed to participate in school sports competition.

Fall Sports Schedules

Middle and High School Sports Information

To try out for any sport or participate in athletics, dance, marching band, cheer, color guard, or athletics class, students must have a physical dated after April 15, 2026.

Walk-in physicals are available at Victory Medical, CVS, MedSpring, and urgent care locations. Please call ahead to confirm availability.

Physicals and Required Forms

For the 2026-2027 school year, physicals will not be collected at school. Please do not bring or email your physical to the school. Instead, upload your physical and complete all required forms through the RankOneSport website.

When completing the PAPF section, please answer YES to every question.

After you submit your forms, our Athletic Trainer Doc White will review your physical and either approve or deny it. Please allow time for this review, as approvals are not immediate. We encourage you to complete and submit all required paperwork as early as possible and avoid waiting until the last minute.

Sports Physical Forms

Austin ISD Sports Physical Participation Form: English and Spanish.

AISD Required Online Participation Forms

All athletes must complete Forms found in the parent portal at RankOneSport.

Middle School Sports

Volleyball and cross country have confirmed start dates. Dates for the other sports are approximate and may change. Additional information will be shared as each season approaches.

Cross Country

Middle school and high school cross country practices begin August 3 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Coaches will be at school beginning at 6:45 a.m.

Practices will be held in the morning to help students beat the Texas heat.

For questions, please contact Head Coach Brianne Welser at brianne.welser@austinisd.org.

Assistant coaches: Abby Eakin and Gwen Udy

Students must have a current physical and complete all required online paperwork before participating in practices.

Volleyball

Middle school volleyball tryouts will begin August 19, the second day of school. Tryouts will take place Wednesday through Friday and will run until 6 p.m.

Tryouts will take place during the athletics class period and after school. If your student is not enrolled in the athletics class period, we will work with their 4th- or 8th-period teacher to accommodate the tryout schedule.

Practices will run until 6 p.m. We understand that transportation may be a challenge for some families and are working to find solutions.

If your student plans to try out, please complete the Volleyball Tryout Form.

Basketball

Basketball tryouts are expected to take place the week of October 12. More information will be shared as the season approaches.

Practices will follow the same schedule as volleyball.

Soccer

Middle school soccer tryouts will take place before winter break, with practices beginning in January.

The first game is expected to be January 16. Regular-season games are played on Saturdays, with the A team playing at 9 a.m. and the B team playing at 10:30 a.m. The final two A-team games will be played during the week.

The schedule is not yet available. Practices will take place after school, with coaches determining specific practice days as the season approaches.

Track and Tennis

Middle school track and tennis tryouts and practices typically begin before Spring Break.

Practices will take place after school.

Track season runs through the last week of April, while tennis season concludes during the first week of May.

More information will be available in late fall.

High School Sports

Volleyball

High school volleyball tryouts will take place August 1 and August 3.

Cross Country

High school cross country begins August 3, with practices from 7 to 8:30 a.m.

For questions, please contact Head Coach Brianne Welser at brianne.welser@austinisd.org.

Assistant coaches: Abby Eakin and Gwen Udy

Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Cheer

Basketball, soccer, softball and cheer each have an athletics class period. Students must have a completed physical by the first day of school to participate.

Students who do not have a completed physical will be moved to PE until their physical is approved.

The dates below indicate when teams can begin practicing before school:

• Basketball: October 21
• Soccer: November 30
• Softball: January 15

Swimming

Jill DiCuffa will share more information about the swimming season as we get closer to the start of school.

Practices are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Texas School for the Deaf at 6:15 p.m. The season runs through mid-February.

Track

Track conditioning will begin with a few practices each week in November.

Daily practices will begin in mid-January and continue through mid-April.

Practices are held before school, beginning at 7 a.m.

Tennis

The district has informed us that it is not currently able to fund the addition of tennis as a new sport at the school. We are exploring options and will share more information as it becomes available