Ellen Fokkema is the first woman to play on a male football team. He will play in the fourth division of the League of the Netherlands, in the 2020-2021 season, with the V.V. Foarut, with her team of always. This is a pioneering plan of the test, as according to the regulation of the Dutch Football Federation football teams can be mixed up until the age of 18, but from that age men and women must be separated.

Fokkema has been playing at the Foraut since the age of 5, but according to the regulations, he could not continue in the next season, as he is 19 years old. The player has stated that he wanted to continue playing with his teammates and that he asked the club if it was possible to play with them. Fokkema submitted the request with the help of the club to the Dutch Football Federation, which has processed Fokkema’s license to be able to play on the male team.

According to Fokkeman, being able to continue on the team is “immense”, and although he does not know how the experience will be, he is “very happy” for being able to participate in the test. The Federation indicates that it will closely monitor what is happening and, if the formula is successful, will consider a policy change so that, from the age of 18, mixed groups can be formed.