Butland played in the Women's National Soccer League for Canberra Eclipse and QAS Sting.

[2][3][4] She played four matches for the Australia women's national association football team in 1999 and 2000.

[5][6] After changing sports at the suggestion of her sister-in-law she soon became a star for North Cairns in the AFL Cairns Women's League.

She was the league best and fairest four times in five years between 2003 and 2008.

[7][8][9] Butland was a member of the Australia women's international rules football team that played against Ireland in the 2006 Ladies' International Rules Series.