Ellie Haenel: The Courage to Break Barriers
"When things get hard, follow that love inside of you, and the love around you that will keep you going. You can be happy."
As the first openly trans athlete in Philippine football, Ellie Haenel has faced unique challenges—from questions of belonging to outright exclusion. Her story is one of resilience, as she navigates the complexities of identity, passion, and the right to play the sport she loves. In this episode, guest correspondent Lui Morales shares how football saved Ellie’s life and the way she continues to push forward.
Ellie’s commitment to the game remains steadfast despite the struggles and misconceptions she faces. With unfiltered honesty, she explains the physical transformation she's undergone, challenging the myths about trans women in sports. Her words reveal the mental and physical costs she’s borne to compete fairly and prove that no inherent advantage comes with her identity.
"When you ask permission to be in women's soccer, you kind of ask, am I allowed to exist? And you want to have your self-worth based on yourself, but it really does have that effect where if they say 'no,' it's like people are saying like, yeah, you don't deserve to be in women's sports. You are not a valid person. And that's, that's so tiring."
Despite this, Ellie was able to play for Secret FC with the help of a coach who advocated for her and helped educate league officials about hormone replacement therapy. She also able to play with a local women’s team that flew to London, and found a community of support thanks to women athletes.
“Surprisingly, I was met with a lot of supportive messages from women athletes and women's soccer teams. 'We're here for you no matter what people say.' It once felt like I had to choose between my life or my dream. But with the help of my community and these women, I was able to get back out there again.”
Ellie’s determination inspires others, showing that courage and community can overcome the most difficult barriers. Through her story, she advocates for acceptance, emphasizing that athletes are more than labels or expectations. Tune into this powerful episode to hear Ellie’s journey firsthand and support the future of inclusive sports in the Philippines.
This episode was made possible through the Go Hard Girls Grants, which empowers creators to tell the stories of Filipina athletes. The Go Hard Girls Grants are supported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation International Development and Women in News & Sports (WINS).
