Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey to play for Darebin Falcons in VFLW
TRANSGENDER footballer Hannah Mouncey has confirmed she will play in the VFLW this year, and as early as this weekend, but has revealed she considered quitting football after more criticism, this time from Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd.
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TRANSGENDER footballer Hannah Mouncey will play VFLW this year, admitting she nearly quit football because of criticism from AFL figures including Chris Judd.
Mouncey on Tuesday confirmed the Herald Sun’s report last month that she would play for VFLW premiers Darebin as soon as this weekend.
The elite handballer was banned from last year’s AFLW draft but could be able to apply this year.
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Mouncey has never wanted to be a trailblazer, uncomfortable in the limelight and with her role as one of the few transgender footballers.
She said on Tuesday she was rocked by the criticism, including a statement from Judd that the AFL was right not to allow her to play.
Writing on website Players Voice, she said she would either play VFLW this weekend or with one of Darebin’s Northern Football League sides after an interrupted pre-season.
It is understood she will play with the senior team in the VFLW against Northern Territory at 12.30pm on Saturday.
She admitted she could not win in the eyes of the public, afraid playing well would unleash another wave of criticism over her strength.
It saw her dreading kicking goals in a practice match this year because she knew the reaction would be negative.
“I honestly don’t understand why people would be so interested in me for a start. I’m really not any different to anyone else,’’ she said.
“I also couldn’t comprehend the amount of hatred that came my way and the abuse online. I really wanted nothing to do with the sport. I was hating it.
“The fact my AFLW draft issue was brought up again on Footy Classified, and the comments Chris Judd made with absolutely no understanding whatsoever of the situation, really did have more of an impact on me than it otherwise might have before.
“In isolation it probably wouldn’t have mattered. But after everything that had gone on regarding the AFLW draft — and had subsequently died down — having people talking about it again was enough to tip me from wanting to play to not.”
Mouncey is well under the IOC’s limit for testosterone, but Judd said she was still at an advantage in football.
“Purely the level of testosterone that transgender women grow up with for 20-plus years puts them at a distinct advantage to put down muscle bulk, create power that the other female athletes don’t have and I think the AFL were right in not allowing Hannah to play in the AFL,” he said.
Mouncey still has not decided whether to apply for the AFLW draft again, bruised by the AFL’s rejection of her only a day before last year’s draft.
Originally published as Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey to play for Darebin Falcons in VFLW
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