Hannah Mouncey could be secret weapon for AFLW club next year after strong season in Canberra

HANNAH Mouncey hopes to make history as the first transgender woman in the AFLW after a brilliant end to her Canberra season as a powerful 190cm ruck.

Hannah Mouncey in Canberra. Picture: Ray Strange

CANBERRA ruck Hannah Mouncey will attempt to become the first transgender footballer in the AFLW’s second season when she nominates for the October 18 draft.

Mouncey, 27, represented Australia in the men’s handball side that attempted to qualify for the Rio Olympics before transitioning into a female.

She has already trialled for AFLW clubs including Melbourne and has interest from several Victorian sides given her powerful 100kg, 190cm physique.

Mouncey kicked 15 goals in the last three home-and-away games after moving from the midfield into the ruck for Ainslie in AFLW Canberra.

She has permission from the AFL to play given her testosterone levels are lower than most females and an agent in Tim Hazell pushing her draft prospects.

The AFL told the Herald Sun in June it welcomed transgender players provided they passed all relevant tests regarding testosterone levels.

Hannah Mouncey is hoping to be drafted ahead of next year’s AFLW season. Picture: Kym Smith

After dropping 7kg in recent months to try to build her running power, she hopes to make history after being taken in the draft or as a rookie by an AFLW club.

“The AFLW is too good an opportunity to pass up,” she told the Herald Sun.

“Once you have played at the highest level you want to keep doing it at that level.

“It gets addictive. I will basically nominate for the draft this year. There are multiple clubs we are talking to and have interest in me.”

Mouncey began starting taking hormone treatment in late November 2015 before transitioning into a female, telling friends and family about her decision.

After a year out of sport she began playing women’s football this season after the better part of a decade playing handball.

She knows there will be some AFL fans who are confronted by her situation but says she has known for some time she has identified as female.

“I am female like 50 per cent of the population. I may have been born a bit different but there was a real sense of normality when I transitioned,” she said.

Hannah Mouncey has been playing for Ainslie’s AFLW team in Canberra. Picture: Ray Strange

“People talk about the performance advantage and I can understand where they come from looking at me.

“But the easiest way to put it is that all the females I am playing against have more testosterone than I do.

“I might be taller and bigger but I have always been strong. I also have to carry that weight around and I say to people, find a girl like me who is 100kg and a good runner.

“So there are advantages and disadvantages. The girls in Canberra saw that but my running got better and better as the year went on.”

There are transgender footballers who play in Victoria’s premier competition but none have made their journey public.

Shepparton Bears player Emily Rowe this year spoke of her emotional journey after returning to country football as a transgender woman.

Mouncey played football as a junior in Albury until Year 10 before moving to Canberra and taking up handball.

Under IOC regulations adopted by the AFL an athlete must prove her testosterone level is below 10 nanomoles/litre, and Mouncey’s measurement is 0.5 nanomoles/litre.

“That is where most trans women end up. The thing with football is there are so many facets to it. I am clearly stronger than the girls but there is the downside of carrying weight with no testosterone.”