Besides being siblings, Rachel, Tanner, Ellie, and Anna Child all have at least one more thing in common — they are on the club racquetball team at BYU.
Being raised in a competitive environment, doing sports in high school, and their father, who enjoys playing, drew them to the idea of joining the team.
Rachel Child, the oldest of the three, saw a flyer advertising the campus racquetball club during her senior year, tried out with her sister Anna (who is currently on a mission), and both made the team.
“In high school, we all loved team sports, and so we were just really excited to get an opportunity to participate on a BYU team and kind of represent BYU and have that community experience,” said Rachel.
After Rachel and her sister Anna made the team, they started to bring their other siblings onto the team. Tanner tried out because of his sisters, heard they’ve had a positive and fun experience, and figured it would be nice to spend more time with family.
As busy college students with a lot on their plates, being on the racquetball team allows the Child siblings to spend time together, motivate and push each other, and bond over something they all have in common.
Growing up, their family has always strived to push one another to become better in all aspects of life, and that is how they have come together as a family.
“Going to racquetball, they really pushed me to try really hard and to give 100% effort,” says Ellie.
Being on a team and playing a sport with siblings is a unique experience that many don’t get.
“I think it just makes it a little bit more special because no one knows you like your family does,” said Tanner.
Although there is some sibling rivalry amongst the four, the siblings have learned from one another, and by helping each other, tips and tricks on the court, both physically and mentally.
In a recent match, Rachel told her sister Ellie, “Every point is a new chance and a fight for all of them.”
Through this experience, it has provided a unique place to learn, grow, and strengthen their relationships with one another.