Nicole Livingstone heard it all when leading the charge of women into the male-dominated sport of Australian Rules football.

"You name it, I heard it," Livingstone, the former AFLW chief executive, told AAP.

"Women shouldn't be playing footy, it's a men's game.

"Women aren't built for football; the standard was not good; the AFL was moving too fast.

"Now, I look on proudly with the AFLW going into their 10th season - it's pretty incredible."

Livingstone is among sports identities in the King's Birthday Honours List, appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.

[Tia-Clair Toomey][Tia-Clair Toomey] Tia-Clair Toomey's weightlifting career led to her repeated Crossfit titles and a King's honour. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) After swimming at three Olympic Games, Livingstone carved

See Full Page