STRIVE: Athlete Spotlight- Harrison Browne

June 28, 2019

Everyone has a place they feel most at home.

Home is where your stress and anxieties are gone. Where you can be your most true self. Where you are surrounded by people who love and support you. Wherever it is, home is the place you belong.

Harrison Browne wins the Isobel Cup with the Metropolitan Riveters (Photo Credit: Michael Hetzel)

For Harrison Browne, hockey is his home.

Hockey became his home when he was nine years old, and it felt more like home to him than figure skating, ballet or tap. He never really fit in there, just like he never really fit in as a girl.

Harrison was born in the wrong body, making it very difficult to be authentic and truly himself. There were barriers to break and mountains to climb.

He had to fight. Fight to be recognized as Harrison, not only by the public but his family too. He had to fight for his pronouns. He had to fight to be part of his team in the National Women’s Hockey League.

His teammates were instrumental in his support system, calling him by the nicknames ‘Harry’ or ‘Brownie’, years before he was even out to the public. But the support he received was shadowed by the fact that every goal, every point and every championship he had was not attributed to Harrison. It took part of his identity away from the game he loved.

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Harrison came out publicly before the start of his second season in the NWHL, making him the first transgender player in a professional hockey league.

But he also had to make sacrifices for this dream. He had to postpone his physical transition until he was ready to retire, essentially putting his whole life on hold until he could fulfill his dream.

This took its toll. But hockey is his home. In that second season, the first where he could play openly as his authentic self, this was validated when he scored a goal and the announcer said, “Harrison Browne, his first of the season.” It’s a moment he’ll never forget. A moment of validation, of feeling like his successes were his own and no one else’s.

And that same year after winning the NWHL championship, he celebrated with his teammates, lifted the Isobel Cup which will forever have his name engraved in it. Harrison Browne.

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A lot of sacrifice goes into being an elite athlete, training at the highest level and being at your absolute best. But the blood, sweat and tears are worth it. When they struggle to take one more step and their muscles want to give up, athletes are committed to their sport. Through the hardships and adversity, sport is where they belong. Where they’re at home.

Luckily for Harrison, his team and league were supportive of his transition. He could break down barriers, set records and make history in the process. And now, retired from professional hockey, he wants the same for all young athletes.

He is raising awareness for LGBTQ+ athletes in sport. He is pushing for inclusion, acceptance and support for these athletes who have big dreams to be a part of a team, to play a sport, or to represent the maple leaf on the international stage. He wants to break down barriers for the next generation, so nothing will stand in their way of achieving their dreams.

You can help too. Through your generous donations, these athletes have one less obstacle to face on their way to reaching their goals. By supporting the Canadian Olympic Foundation, you can make it easier for young athletes to make tough sacrifices, to do what they love, and to find where they belong.