She was raised in a household where athletic prowess was expected, and she has succeeded in establishing a career that combines her personal drive with her inherited discipline. On the netball court, Alicia has discovered grace and rhythm—her own form of artistry characterized by movement, accuracy, and vision—while her father, Paul Scholes, was an expert in the midfield geometry of football.
She grew up in Greater Manchester, where there was a culture of understated excellence. Her early outlook was influenced by her father’s focus and humility, which were visible even at home. She played netball for the first time at Hulme Grammar School when she was eight years old, and she never gave it up. She is remembered by coaches as being extremely quick-witted and having a natural grasp of space, which may be a reflection of the same strategic instinct that made her father one of Manchester United’s most intelligent players.
She advanced quickly through the ranks of the Oldham Netball Club in her early years before transferring to YWCA Bury at the age of fifteen. Her technical development benefited greatly from the change, which also exposed her to more competitive play and gave her the confidence she needed to make the switch to elite sport. She made her senior debut a year later, and that same confidence earned her a spot in the Manchester Thunder squad for the 2020 Netball Super League season. It was the type of step that signals the start of something more significant.
Personal and Professional Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alicia Scholes |
| Date of Birth | 8 May 2001 |
| Age | 24 years |
| Place of Birth | Greater Manchester, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Occupation | Professional Netball Player |
| Team | London Pulse (Netball Super League) |
| National Team | England |
| Parents | Paul Scholes and Claire Froggatt |
| Siblings | Arron Scholes, Aiden Scholes |
| Reference | England Netball |
She joined London Pulse in 2022, a team whose goals aligned with her own. The decision to leave Manchester in order to establish a reputation in a new setting was both symbolic and calculated. For a young athlete who was so strongly connected to her father’s hometown, it was a sign of her independence. She combined agility with an almost artistic control of the ball to become the dynamic force that London’s supporters soon came to admire. In addition to coaches, opposing players praised her for her quick, graceful, and clever style of play, frequently calling her “impossible to pin down.”
Her efforts culminated in 2025 when she assisted London Pulse in defeating Loughborough Lightning in an exciting final to win their first Netball Super League title. For a team that had long teetered on the brink of triumph, it was a moment of redemption, and for Alicia, it was confirmation of years of silent perseverance. She had expanded the meaning of her surname, not just lived up to it.
Alicia has shown emotional maturity outside of the game, which is uncommon in professional sports. Her touching remembrance of her father following his public remarks about raising her autistic brother, Aiden, provided a close-up look at her family’s tenacity. Her words, which were full of empathy and admiration, went viral and moved thousands of people who saw a picture of strength and devotion in them. Being your daughter is what I am most proud of,” she wrote. You are the greatest father figure and role model I could ever have. The message resonated across social media, and even David Beckham commented, “Perfect words for your amazing dad.”
That post captured the genuineness of a family, not just sentiment. Known for dodging attention, Paul Scholes had talked candidly about his personal struggles and how he centered his career on taking care of and routinely attending to his son. Fans were reminded by Alicia’s public response that human stories—stories of love, sacrifice, and everyday acts of devotion—lie behind athletic legacies.
Her life off the court and her athletic career are inextricably linked. She co-manages Scholes Gym, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center in Oldham that encourages community empowerment and health, with her father and brother. The project was especially creative because it addressed everyday fitness for families as well as performance athletes. The principles upheld by the Scholes family are reflected in the gym’s ethos of well-being, accessibility, and discipline.
But what makes Alicia unique is her increasing public influence. She has established herself as a familiar figure on social media by striking a balance between her business-related posts and fun, fashionable, yet grounded personal moments. Her frequently humorous and upbeat posts have garnered a sizable following, but she manages that attention with remarkable clarity. She conveys positivity and hard work, which makes her particularly appealing to younger fans who find her relatable and inspirational. This contrasts with many influencer-athletes who seek controversy.
Her reputation has only grown as a result of her England performances. She has steadily risen from the U17 and U21 teams to the Future Roses program and, eventually, the senior national team. Her ability to adjust to high-pressure situations was demonstrated when she represented England in the Fast5 World Series and earned caps against New Zealand in the Taini Jamison Trophy Series. England’s victory in the 2025 Netball Nations Cup, which she called “a dream come true after years of graft,” was the climax.
Her career and her father’s are remarkably similar in that they both involve quiet determination, a dislike of showmanship, and a passion for the game itself. However, Alicia has ensured that her story deviates in significant ways. Alicia’s charm is found in her outward warmth—a confidence that invites rather than intimidates—while Paul Scholes was renowned for his introverted intensity.
The wider development of women’s sport in the UK is also reflected in her journey. Previously ignored by the media, netball is now gaining popularity, sponsorships, and coverage on major networks such as Sky Sports. Players like Alicia have become ambassadors for that shift, embodying both athletic excellence and cultural relevance. She belongs to a generation that naturally demands recognition through excellence and grace rather than fighting for it.
Even in the face of difficulties, such as her brief exclusion from the England Roses team, Alicia responds to disappointment with poise. She channels her attention back into training, using such moments as fuel rather than frustration. One of her distinguishing characteristics is her resilience, which coaches and teammates alike find admirable.
There is no denying the impact of her upbringing. Alicia learned the discipline that keeps careers going rather than making headlines because she grew up in a household where hard work was expected rather than the exception. Claire Froggatt, her mother, was also very important because she provided balance and stability in the midst of the highs and lows of athletic life. Her success is based on thankfulness rather than ego, with her family still at the center of who she is.
