Ellen Fokkema breaks Dutch age barrier to play football against men | The Guardian

‘I’ve played with these lads since I was five,’ says the pioneering 19-year-old from amateur side VV FoarutEllen Fokkema is proud, and excited, to be the face of a controversial experiment that could see the advent of mixed-gender adult football in the Netherlands. Until this month, the KNVB had barred women over 18 from playing in senior men’s first teams, but the Dutch Football Association has now – on a one season-only trial basis – agreed that the 19-year-old can continue turning out for her local club.“It’s fantastic I can keep on playing in this team, I’ve played with these lads since I was five,” says the forward from VV Foarut, in the Frisian village of Menaam. Continue reading…

‘I’ve played with these lads since I was five,’ says the pioneering 19-year-old from amateur side VV Foarut

Ellen Fokkema is proud, and excited, to be the face of a controversial experiment that could see the advent of mixed-gender adult football in the Netherlands. Until this month, the KNVB had barred women over 18 from playing in senior men’s first teams, but the Dutch Football Association has now – on a one season-only trial basis – agreed that the 19-year-old can continue turning out for her local club.

“It’s fantastic I can keep on playing in this team, I’ve played with these lads since I was five,” says the forward from VV Foarut, in the Frisian village of Menaam.

Continue reading…