Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Rugby champion Ellia Green has shared his journey of reinvigorating his passion for the sport approximately three years following his public announcement to transition from female to male.
In August 2022, the 32-year-old athlete hailed his transition as “the finest choice of my life” through an empowering video. Now, Green is exhilarated to resume his rugby career, joining the renowned Sydney Convicts team, known as Australia’s pioneering gay and inclusive union club.
Return to the Field: Sydney Convicts
Green recently took to the pitch for the Sydney Convicts, securing a victorious 29-5 win against Epping in their season’s inaugural match. The athlete articulated his rediscovered enthusiasm for the game, dubbed “footy” in local vernacular.
The former Olympian stated, “‘It’s offered me far more than just the thrill of playing rugby again; it’s renewed that sense of family that rugby has always provided me.'” He further elaborated, “‘The exhilaration I experience every time I secure the ball, the thrill of making contact—this encapsulates everything I cherish.'”
Test Matches and Community Support
Before his formal debut, Green disclosed the elation he experienced during his initial trial games against Manly and Mosman. These warm-up matches, which preceded the season’s 15-a-side contests, reignited his fervor for the sport and the supportive rugby community.
Green recounted, “‘I was overcome with joy, despite the overwhelming nerves stemming from the fear of failure, expectations, and self-imposed pressure.’ He continued, “‘Playing helped me remember just how much I love this game, the rugby community, and the adrenaline rush of physical contact. Moreover, I was fortunate to have my supporters there, cheering me on as I engaged in my beloved sport.'”
Athletic Achievements and Setbacks
Green clinched gold with the Australian women’s rugby sevens team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and represented his country in 149 games. His stellar career included a stint with the New Zealand Warriors NRLW side in 2020.
The athlete amassed an impressive 141 tries—the fourth-highest tally in rugby history—and accumulated 739 points over his 149 matches, making him a formidable force on the field.
The Omission and its Aftermath
The athlete recorder career hit a notable setback when he was controversially omitted from Australia’s rugby sevens squad for the Tokyo Olympics. This decision was deemed the “most challenging call of his career” by then-coach John Manenti.
This exclusion led to a precarious phase in Green’s life, a reality many athletes face when encountering such tribulations, which can precipitate severe mental health issues.
Describing his struggle, Green said, “‘My rugby career seemed to end, and I found myself in and out of mental health facilities grappling with profound issues. My depression reached an unprecedented level of despair.'”
‘I spent countless hours at home, sequestered in a darkened room, lacking the confidence to face anyone. I felt ashamed, believing I had disappointed many, particularly myself and my mother. I was convinced I had failed miserably; it was utterly heartbreaking.'”
“Light at the End of the Tunnel”
During this trying period, Green found solace in his planned transition. He anticipated the liberating sensation that would accompany his transformation and the prospect of living authentically.
In a video announcing his transition, Green expressed, “‘That bright hope in my mind during these bleak times, facing my demons, was the knowledge that there was light at the end of the tunnel.'”
‘I knew that what would bring me true happiness was living the rest of my life with my partner and daughter (Waitui), and being her father,'” Green concluded.