-
Australia’s first TS Footballer
Australia’s first transsexual footballer?
Written by Rachel Cook
Friday, 19 June 2009 15:50
The Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) may become the first football organisation in Australia to allow a transsexual man to play football.Will, a 25-year-old Bendigo man, who transitioned from female to male in 2007, recently approached the VCFL with his wish to play regional football.
After meeting Will and gay rights advocate Rob Mitchell, VCFL chief executive Glenn Scott said Will would be able to play with the Bendigo Football League.
Mitchell assisted the keen footballer in his bid to join the league.
“He [Will] emailed me about his background and asked my advice on how to tackle the issue,” Mitchell said.
“I said the best thing to do was to speak with Glen Scott from the VCFL and then we could steer Will towards a [welcoming club].”
Mitchell said issues such as Will’s birth certificate and football change rooms were addressed at meetings with VCFL leaders.
Glenn Scott, meanwhile, has agreed to educate players on trans issues.
Mitchell said that while he did not rule out potential abuse directed at Will, strong support from VCFL and AFL leaders would filter down to the players.
“I am pretty confident he will be all right,” he said.
Will told Queensland Pride he was unsure how players would react to him joining their team.
“Some people may be a bit resentful if I can play better than a bio guy,” he quipped.
http://qlp.e-p.net.au/news/australias-first-transsexual-footballer-2717.html
-
0 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.