Julia Harris loves soccer. It’s the most popular sport (although it’s called football) in her home country of Germany. So, when she made the varsity soccer team at Ankeny High School, she said she was thrilled.But instead of scoring goals and competing with her teammates, she’s stuck to the sidelines during games because the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, or IGHSAU, said she’s ineligible to play.”I’m warming up with them because I don’t have anything else to do,” Harris told KCCI as her teammates competed against Waverly-Shell Rock High School on Saturday. From the bench, she cheered on the Ankeny Hawkettes — girls she said she’s become close with — and helped some tie their cleats or adjust their uniforms. “I was sad. Really sad. Because that was part of my experience and I wanted to play.” Harris said. Her situation is unique.She was born and raised in Germany, having only visited family in the States a few times before attending Ankeny High School. But her father was born in the U.S., granting her automatic U.S. citizenship.Because she’s already a citizen, she wasn’t eligible for traditional foreign exchange programs. So, instead, she traveled to Ankeny to live with her aunt, Cindy Harris, for a semester, and is classified as a standard transfer student. But according to IGHSAU’s rules on open enrollment, transfer students are ineligible to compete in interscholastic athletics for 90 school days. But by the time Harris’ 90-day waiting period is up, her season would be over. When asked about Julia’s situation, the union shared the following statement with KCCI:”The IGHSAU has been in communication with the student’s family and school regarding this matter, and has provided a ruling. Due to student privacy considerations, we do not comment publicly on individual eligibility cases. Eligibility decisions are made in accordance with Iowa law and IGHSAU regulations to ensure fairness, consistency, and a level playing field for all student-athletes. These rules are essential to maintaining the integrity of interscholastic athletics and preventing undue competitive advantage.”Neither Harris nor her aunt expected this outcome.”They stand to miss out on being able to be a key part of an athletic program and sport and having those relationships,” Cindy said. “I understand the not wanting the kids to be, you know, trying to go to school just to play sports. But that’s not the situation.”Julia Harris, a junior, said she wanted to come to the U.S. not to play soccer, but to improve her English and to gain a new experience.”This is the period where a lot of German students go abroad and learn English and improve it. That’s what I wanted to do too, and soccer was part of that experience. And now I can’t really have it,” she said.Without the green light from the union, she says she’ll continue staying on the bench, tying her cleats and clapping her hands.”I’m just going to practice with them. Try to have as much fun as I can and sit on the sidelines,” she said.

ANKENY, Iowa —

Julia Harris loves soccer. It’s the most popular sport (although it’s called football) in her home country of Germany.

So, when she made the varsity soccer team at Ankeny High School, she said she was thrilled.

But instead of scoring goals and competing with her teammates, she’s stuck to the sidelines during games because the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, or IGHSAU, said she’s ineligible to play.

“I’m warming up with them because I don’t have anything else to do,” Harris told KCCI as her teammates competed against Waverly-Shell Rock High School on Saturday.

From the bench, she cheered on the Ankeny Hawkettes — girls she said she’s become close with — and helped some tie their cleats or adjust their uniforms.

“I was sad. Really sad. Because that was part of my experience and I wanted to play.” Harris said.

Her situation is unique.

She was born and raised in Germany, having only visited family in the States a few times before attending Ankeny High School. But her father was born in the U.S., granting her automatic U.S. citizenship.

Because she’s already a citizen, she wasn’t eligible for traditional foreign exchange programs. So, instead, she traveled to Ankeny to live with her aunt, Cindy Harris, for a semester, and is classified as a standard transfer student.

But according to IGHSAU’s rules on open enrollment, transfer students are ineligible to compete in interscholastic athletics for 90 school days. But by the time Harris’ 90-day waiting period is up, her season would be over.

When asked about Julia’s situation, the union shared the following statement with KCCI:

“The IGHSAU has been in communication with the student’s family and school regarding this matter, and has provided a ruling. Due to student privacy considerations, we do not comment publicly on individual eligibility cases. Eligibility decisions are made in accordance with Iowa law and IGHSAU regulations to ensure fairness, consistency, and a level playing field for all student-athletes. These rules are essential to maintaining the integrity of interscholastic athletics and preventing undue competitive advantage.”

Neither Harris nor her aunt expected this outcome.

“They stand to miss out on being able to be a key part of an athletic program and sport and having those relationships,” Cindy said. “I understand the not wanting the kids to be, you know, trying to go to school just to play sports. But that’s not the situation.”

Julia Harris, a junior, said she wanted to come to the U.S. not to play soccer, but to improve her English and to gain a new experience.

“This is the period where a lot of German students go abroad and learn English and improve it. That’s what I wanted to do too, and soccer was part of that experience. And now I can’t really have it,” she said.

Without the green light from the union, she says she’ll continue staying on the bench, tying her cleats and clapping her hands.

“I’m just going to practice with them. Try to have as much fun as I can and sit on the sidelines,” she said.