A 190cm woman who weighs 100kg has set her sights on becoming the first transgender footballer to join the AFL Women’s league.
Hannah Mouncey, previously Callum, played in the Australian men’s handball team before beginning her transition in late 2015.
The 27-year-old, who will nominate for the October 18 draft, said several clubs have expressed an interest in signing her for next year’s AFLW season.
‘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 told the Herald Sun.
Hannah Mouncey (left), previously Callum (right as a 17-year-old), is attempting to become the first transgender footballer to join the AFL Women’s league
Ms Mouncey is pictured (in yellow) playing handball for the men’s team when she was known as Callum
Ms Mouncey pulled on a women’s AFL jumper for the first time this year after playing men’s handball her entire adult life.
She kicked 15 goals in the last three home-and-away games of the season for Ainslie in Canberra’s AFLW.
She said her larger physique is not always an advantage over her smaller opponents.
‘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,’ she told the paper.
The 27-year-old (pictured), who began her transition in late 2015, will nominate for the October 18 draft
Ms Mouncey said several clubs have expressed an interest in signing her for next year’s AFLW season. Pictured, Maddy Collier of the Giants in action during the inaugural season this year
‘So there are advantages and disadvantages. The girls in Canberra saw that but my running got better and better as the year went on.’
Earlier this year, the AFL told the Herald Sun transgender players were welcome to play in the league, provided they passed tests regarding testosterone levels.
Ms Mouncey’s testosterone level of 0.5 nanomoles per litre is well within the maximum limit set by the IOC and the AFL of 10 nanomoles per litre, according to the paper.
Ms Mouncey pulled on a women’s AFL jumper for the first time this year after playing men’s handball her entire adult life (pictured right competing against Hungary in 2013)
Ms Mouncey (pictured after beginning her transition) kicked 15 goals in the last three home-and-away games of the season for Ainslie in Canberra’s AFLW
Tayla Harris of the Lions in action with Renee Tomkins of the Giants during the round four Women’s AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Ms Mouncey will be hoping to compete in the same league next season