- Samantha Wallace-Joseph made ‘hurtful’ post
- NSW Swifts team quickly distanced themselves
- Post referring to trans controversy in the US.
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Netball star Samantha Wallace-Joseph has put the sport into damage control with a social media post criticizing President Joe Biden for making March 31 the official Transgender Day of Visibility in the United States.
The move sparked outrage among some Americans since Easter Sunday fell on that date this year, even though the religious holiday will not occur on the same day again for at least a decade.
On Easter Monday, Wallace-Joseph reposted the US news and wrote: ‘The lack of respect is crazy. Don’t play with GOD.’
When a fan complained about the “hateful” post and said it should be removed, the star responded: “My opinion is still valid.”
Samantha Wallace-Joseph (pictured playing for the NSW Swifts last month) posted a shocking insight into US President Joe Biden’s announcement that March 31 is now the official Transgender Visibility Day in the US.
The 30-year-old’s comments were branded “hateful” by one fan before her team intervened.
Her interpretation of the US news sent the Swifts into a panic, and the team held a crisis meeting with the 30-year-old before issuing a statement distancing the club from its stance on the issue.
“The NSW Swifts are aware of a social media post by Samantha Wallace-Joseph today which has caused understandable harm to members of the transgender community,” the statement read.
‘The opinions expressed in the publication are not shared by the Club.
‘The Club spoke to Samantha raising their concerns. It is important to note that Samantha listened and tomorrow she will meet with the Club.
‘As a Club, we remain committed to continuing education on issues of social importance and feedback.
Many members of our family, both directly within the Club and in the stands, identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community. “The NSW Swifts Club will always be your ally.”
Based on her Instagram profile, the Trinidad and Tobago shooter takes her religion seriously.
The Swifts held a crisis meeting before distancing themselves from the shooter (pictured left in action last month)
Wallace-Joseph (pictured) objected to the US announcement on religious grounds, as Easter Sunday fell on March 31 this year.
Her Instagram bio references the Bible passage Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Netball Australia introduced its transgender policy in September 2020, stating that the sport is “committed to providing welcoming, inclusive and supportive places for all people to play our great game”.
The statement also says the body believes gender identity “is not fixed” and “exists on a spectrum.”
In 2022, then-CEO Kelly Ryan criticized the federal government over a private member’s bill designed to ban trans athletes from women’s sports.
The controversy over Wallace-Joseph’s comments comes after a shocking year for the code in 2023, which resulted in sports stars and greats demanding that Netball Australia’s top brass be sacked.