The Dutch football association has given the green light to allow a female footballer to play in a senior men's team as part of a landmark pilot scheme.
Ellen Fokkema, 19, has been granted dispensation by KNVB to play for fourth-division amateur outfit VV Foarut in the coming season.
Girls are permitted to play mixed football up to under-19 level in the Netherlands. Thereafter, they must either play category B men's football or join a women's team.
This new trial gives Fokkema the chance to prove her worth at category A level.
VV Foarut's Ellen Fokkema becomes first woman to play in men's top amateur team. KNVB will use this as pilot to see if mixed gender amateur teams are viable. https://t.co/EC9QxO750N pic.twitter.com/WONFeWk7cF
— r_eredivisie (@REredivisie) August 4, 2020
Mixed football was first introduced in the Netherlands back in 1986. In March, Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw spoke of the impact the change has had on the game in her native country, telling FIFA.com: "This is what sets us apart from other countries. The outcome was so extremely positive that it opened the door to competitive mixed-gender football throughout the whole pathway of youth players.
"The final step to the under-19 leagues was made at the end of the 90s. It’s just the same for girls or boys.
"That brought a whole base of knowledge into the squad that they are still profiting from now, because every current national team player comes out of these leagues. Every single one of them has played with and against boys."
Speaking of the decision to allow her to play for VV Foarut, Fokkema said: "I was sorry that I wouldn't be able to play with them in a team next year.
"From the KNVB I was always advised to continue playing with the boys for as long as possible, so why shouldn't it be possible?
"It is quite a challenge, but that only excites me more. I dare not say how it will go, but I am very happy anyway that I can participate in this pilot."
KNVB will monitor Fokkema's progress with interest, hinting that it could lead to a major change in the rules in the Dutch game.
"Every year there is a request from an association to allow a woman to play football in their first men's team," added Art Langeler, the Dutch FA's director of football development.
"In my opinion it is special that girls at all levels are allowed to play mixed football, but as soon as boys from under-19 move to category A of men they have to continue playing football without the women in their team.
"The KNVB stands for diversity and equality. We believe that there should be space for everyone in football in every way. Moreover, in these cases there is a nice sporting challenge that we do not want to block.
"That's why we're starting this pilot. The experience will learn if and how it works. We will be working closely with the club to monitor how it is going. On that basis, we could apply a change in the rules."
