Australia’s most controversial soccer team has reached the grand final after going through the season undefeated.
Sydney-based Flying Bats FC made headlines around the world earlier this year after it was revealed that five of the women’s team’s roster consisted of players born male.
The team’s presence in the women’s competition sparked complaints from club officials and parents, while high-profile figures such as JK Rowling and Lucy Zelic also criticised their participation.
And now it can be revealed that the team have enjoyed an unbeaten season in which they have won all 16 of their games while scoring 65 goals and conceding just four in the process.
2GB’s Ben Fordham also revealed that six of the team’s wins came as a result of the opposing team losing, including the two semi-final matches that saw them advance to the final.
Earlier this year, it was reported that the sport’s governing bodies had told clubs they would be punished if they lost their games against the Bats.
“Remember, it’s a women’s competition and there are five players born male, and we have some people trying to say ‘it doesn’t make any difference’, really?” she said on Thursday morning’s show.
Zelic, a vocal critic of the team, responded to their successful season by calling it a “crime against women.”
Sydney-based soccer team Flying Bats have reached the final of the women’s competition after sparking controversy for fielding five male-born players.
“I think this is a real crime against women… it’s quite shameful,” she said.
‘The fact that these women have been left without a voice in this matter, and if they have one, are being punished for it, is something that needs to be explored very deeply.
‘Imagine having to do that too? To get to the knockout stages of the competition… it takes a lot of courage in this situation to stand up and say “no, we’re not going to play”. Both Putney Rangers and Macquarie Dragons deserve credit for that.’
Zelic then pointed the finger at governing bodies for what he claimed was a dereliction of duty.
“The people I hold responsible here, and who I consider the most villainous, are the national sporting organisations, the ones who have yet to act to introduce policies to protect women and girls, who are the real culprits and responsible for allowing this circus to continue,” she added.
“These are the people we really need to call out and ask for answers. I want to know why these women’s voices are not being heard. It’s not right.”
On Flying Bats’ official website, they state that they are “the largest LGBTQIA+ female and non-binary football club in the world.”
Club president Jennifer Peden told Daily Mail Australia in April: “As a club, Flying Bats FC strongly advocates for inclusion and we pride ourselves on a safe, respectful and fair game, fostering a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, referees and supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits that participation in sport brings, particularly to marginalised 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.
Lucy Zelic called the team’s successful season a “crime against women”
‘These guidelines, together with the Sex Discrimination Act, inform Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association’s gender inclusion policies at the community and grassroots level at which we play.
‘Trans women belong in the women’s competition because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have played with the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to expert, just like our cis players.
‘Our players are rated based on their ability and placed on the team that is most appropriate for their skill level and experience.’
The Facebook group LGBTI Rights Australia posted a message congratulating the team shortly after winning the Beryl Ackroyd Cup and criticised the team’s critics.
“Transgender women have proudly been part of the bats for 20 YEARS, but it took the Nazis until this week to notice,” the message read.
‘This highlights that the problem is not transgender athletes, but the exploitation of sport for political gain.
‘Congratulations to Flying Bats football club, who recently won the Beryl Ackroyd Cup! (And to all the complaining transphobes, we suggest you train a bit harder.)’