Jaiyah Saelua may be nearing the end of her football career, but the worlds first transgender professional player says she has more to achieve as the sport celebrates the World Cup in Brazil. The striking 6ft 1ins (1.83 metres) centre-back, who was born John Saelua, plans to quit the game after 2015, but hopes to remain involved in efforts to combat discrimination and homophobia in the sport. Just to get the message across that soccer should be a sport for everyone, the American Samoa international told AFP during a visit to Sydney. Saelua, first selected for American Samoa at the age of 14, says she runs like a girl and never considered her gender an issue. Girls can be fast too, she said. The 25-year-old, who is known for her tough, physical tackles, wasnt even aware she was the first transgender player -- as recognised by FIFA -- to play in a mens international match before she did so. I didnt know the significance it had on the world because in Polynesian culture its not that big of an issue. And I assumed that a lot more trans-people in the Pacific region were playing international football. I havent met any in my career but I was so sure that there has been (some) before me. Saelua is one of Polynesias faafafine, a tradition which means way of the woman and allows males to choose to be brought up as females. The deep acceptance of Saelua by her American Samoa teammates is seen in a documentary released earlier this year about the sides battle to overcome its reputation as the worlds worst football team, having suffered a record 31-0 defeat at the hands of Australia in 2001. Next Goal Wins shows her dancing in a dress and straightening her long, chestnut hair in the changing room. Saelua says other teams are also accepting, but occasionally resort to name-calling. Never works, makes me play harder, she said with a laugh. It wasnt until....
Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:31:19 +0000
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