Female footy player in men's league 'just wanted to play'
A woman who played in a South Australian Aussie Rules men's side has said she does not regret her decision, in spite of the club facing a big penalty for doing so.
Casey McElroy, 27, joined the reserve grade side for the Casey McElroy because of a shortage of numbers against Kingston in the state's southeast.
A South Australian Aussie Rules football club has been fined after fielding a female player in a male’s league competition game. Supplied
Ms McElroy told Today that she was not trying to make a stand based on her gender.
"It's not for every woman to join in the men's league. I know there are implications with that," she said.
"But I just wanted the chance to play football. And I want girls after me to have that chance also."
The club is facing a $2000 fine from the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football league because Ms McElroy was an unregistered player.
This is in spite of the fact that neither Padthaway or Kingston took issue with Ms McElroy taking the field.
"I guess people are jumping on the gender equality bandwagon. But I was just there because I love football," she said.
"So I understand that it's caused a bit of a ruckus for everyone. I am sorry for that. But I just love football and I was so happy to be out there."
But under AFL rules, she is unable to play in a men's league because she is a woman.
Casey McElroy, 27, is believed to have been the first woman to ever play in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football league when she joined the Padthaway Lions reserves against Kingston in Round 7, in the state’s south-east. Supplied
"I don't want to cause any dramas for the powers above. I would love the chance to do it again though," she said.
"So if that means pushing for a change then I guess that has to happen."
Padthaway is a tiny town of about 300 people.
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