Netball Australia REJECTS transgender ban at World Netball as row over inclusion in sport erupts

A netball row erupted after Netball Australia rejected World Netball’s ban on transgender players participating in elite competitions.

Australia’s governing body said on Wednesday it had no plans to follow the lead of its global counterpart after a new participation and inclusion policy banned transgender players from women’s international competition.

World Netball said they made the decision after a lengthy consultation.

‘Following a detailed review of the science and consultation with experts and members, it has been determined that women’s netball internationally is a gendered activity and that policy is required. [to] guarantee equity and safety at this level of our sport,” reads a statement from the organization.

WN added that national governing bodies can “amend or even not apply these guidelines” and Netball Australia has chosen not to change its own policy from 2020, which welcomes transgender and gender diverse athletes in elite competitions, such as Super Netball.

There are currently no transgender players in the national competition. However, WN’s new policy means transgender players are not eligible to be selected to play for the Australian Diamonds.

Netball Australia said they are “proud of their core transgender guidelines for both community and elite netball”.

“These guidelines are based on a commitment to providing welcoming and inclusive environments for all people to play netball,” they added.

Netball Australia guidelines state that trans and gender diverse players must have a certain blood level of testosterone measured over a 24-month period.

That testosterone level should correspond to approximately half that of an average man.

Transgender players can play in local community netball competitions.

SBS host Lucy Zelic publicly supported WN’s stance, having previously attacked a women’s soccer team for fielding five biological men. The Flying Bats won a pre-season competition in New South Wales, with several dominant results.

“Congratulations to World Netball who have shown tremendous leadership and published their Participation and Inclusion Policy,” it posted on Tuesday.

Zelic has expressed concern about the “integrity” of women’s sport if transgender athletes participate, adding: “Women are afraid to speak openly about this issue and that is not right.”

On the Flying Bats official website, they state that they are “the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world.”

Club president Jennifer Peden told WhatsNew2Day Australia: “As a club, Flying Bats FC strongly champions inclusivity and we pride ourselves on safe, respectful and fair play, promoting a supportive community for players, officials and LGBTQIA+ supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits of participation in sport, especially for marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a club that values ​​our cisgender and transgender players equally.

‘We strongly support the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.

‘These guidelines, together with the Sex Discrimination Act, inform the gender inclusion policies of Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association at the community and grassroots level at which we play.

‘Trans women belong in the female competition because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have played in the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to expert, just like our cis players.

“Our players are evaluated based on their ability and placed on the most appropriate team for their ability and experience level.”