For Katrina Emry Farrow, sports have always been a way of life. A Franklin Community High School graduate from the class of 2000, she spent her youth on the soccer field and in the gymnastics gym, continuing both sports through college and into adulthood. But football? That was something special – an unwavering passion instilled in her by her father, John Emry.
Now, more than two decades later, she has returned to Franklin as a mother, business owner and state-winning gymnastics coach. But she wasn’t quite done competing. At 43, she set her sights on an ambitious new challenge: trying out for the newly formed Indiana Valor, the state’s professional women’s tackle football team in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA).
“I’m not your typical football player, but I don’t need to be,” Farrow said. “As long as the legs do the things, then we’re good.”
She earned her spot on the roster as a kicker, consistently drilling 30-yard field goals. In addition to her role on the team, Farrow also contributes to media coverage, helping to promote the Valor’s debut season.
A New Era for Women’s Football
Women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented growth across the country, and Indiana is no exception. With the rise of basketball star Caitlin Clark putting Hoosier athletics in the national spotlight, the time was right to bring professional women’s tackle football to the state.
Enter Kristian Aleixo, the founding owner of the Indiana Valor. A race-car driver and author, Aleixo had a bold vision for women’s football in Indiana.
“The goal for Indianapolis is to become the women’s sports capital of the world by 2050,” Aleixo said. “You have to include America’s most popular sport, which is football.”
The WFA, established in 2009, is the longest-running and most competitive women’s tackle football league in the country. Featuring 60 teams across three divisions, the league has become a proving ground for elite female athletes. Indiana had a WFA presence years ago, but the Valor’s formation marks the return of a serious contender in women’s professional football.
Tryouts for the Valor took place in October, drawing more than 175 women, including a strong showing from Johnson County. Many players were recruited through social media and word of mouth, led in part by Franklin resident Melissa Ward. Six Johnson County athletes made the final roster, despite only one having prior tackle football experience.
Unlike most expansion teams, which start in Division 3, Aleixo pushed for the Valor to debut in Division 2, a move that speaks to his confidence in the team’s potential. His goal? To win a championship and earn a fast promotion to Division 1.
Chasing the Dream
For Farrow, playing football at this level is more than just an athletic challenge; it’s a personal milestone and a statement to women everywhere. She’s not alone in that sentiment.
Chelsea “Red” Grady, one of Farrow’s teammates, shared how life-changing this opportunity has been.
“As a member of the Indiana Valor, what excites me the most is this new chapter I’ve decided to explore, and at my age it’s a fun but challenging one,” she said. “It won’t be easy, but it’s the mental and physical journey I’m ready to take on with these girls.”
Grady, like many of her teammates, understands the significance of this moment, not just for herself, but also for the next generation of female athletes.
“As a woman playing a sport that’s been widely known for men, we’ll have our skeptics,” she said. “Personally, that only makes me dig my cleats harder into the turf, to show not only ‘them’ that we can do it, but to the younger girls that they can too. Most importantly, this is showing my two daughters that they can do anything they desire in life as long as they’re passionate about it, just like their mom.”
Brittany Korreck, another member of the Valor, echoed those sentiments. A lifelong athlete with a deep love for football, she never had the opportunity to play at a competitive level until now.
“I played soccer since fifth grade and loved it, but football was always my favorite sport,” Korreck said. “Being the only girl in the neighborhood games wasn’t a problem when we were just having fun, but as my love for the sport grew, so did the obstacles. Girls were picked last at recess, and playing on a legitimate tackle team wasn’t even an option.”
That changed when she stumbled upon a Facebook post about the Valor.
“A friend from church saw a post about Indiana starting a new pro football team and said, ‘Why does this sound like something you’d love?’” Korreck said. “I said, ‘Because I would! I didn’t know this was a thing!’”
She reached out to Ward, started attending optional practices and soon realized she was on the path to fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“I am quite literally fulfilling my childhood dream of playing professional football,” she said. “I am beyond excited to play for this state and represent the Indiana Valor with style. I hope to inspire others, especially the young girls who now have an option and something to work toward.”
A Season of Firsts
As the Valor prepare for its inaugural season, the energy surrounding the team is electric. Players, coaches and fans alike are ready to prove that women’s tackle football belongs in the mainstream.
For Farrow, this journey is about more than just playing football. It’s about breaking barriers, embracing new challenges, and showing that passion and determination have no expiration date.
“This is something I never would have imagined doing, but here I am,” she said. “I love football and now I get to be part of something bigger than myself. I hope this team inspires more women to go after what they love, no matter their age, background or what anyone else says.”
With talent, drive, and a growing fan base behind them, the Indiana Valor team is ready to take the field and make history. And with players like Farrow leading the charge, they just might change the game for good.
The Valor’s season begins in April and runs through June.
For more information, visit wfaprofootball.com or follow on Instagram @indianavalorfootball.
