Emma Checker to take on the boys

Checker becomes the first women's soccer player to play in a Seniors Men's U18 competition | (Credit: Keryn Stevens/The Advertiser)

Adelaide United defender Emma Checker is following in the footsteps of one of the greats of Australian football Dianne Alagich when she suits up West Torrens Birkalla's in the Men's Under-18 Premier League.

In doing so the 17 year old Young Matildas defender will become the first South Australian female in 20 years, and the second after Alagich in 1995, to play against elite boys of her age group.

"I'm obviously pretty nervous because it's something new," said Checker in The Advertiser.

"I've come up against boys before but they've always been younger than me, so this is definitely going to be a real challenge but one that I'm willing to take on."

The decision to enable Checker to play in the senior boys competition was made last month following a request from Football Federation of Australia. For Checker, who has already represented Australia as a full international, it is a chance to continue to improve her skills in the W-League off season.

"She shows a level of experience and skill that is exceptional," said impressed under-18 coach Daniel Patterson. "She has been in the senior Matildas and the under-20 Matildas squad and I think that athletically she'll able to handle this level of football."