World Netball’s stance on trans athletes earned the backing of Lucy Zelic after the SBS commentator previously spoke out against a women’s football team fielding five biological men.
On Tuesday, the governing body announced that “those registered as female at birth regardless of their gender identity, and transgender athletes who can demonstrate… that they have not experienced the biological effects of testosterone at any time” are eligible to play. in women’s netball. competition as part of its “participation and inclusion” policy.
World Netball’s stance follows a dispute in New South Wales after a women’s football team, Flying Bats FC, featured five biological males dominating a women’s pre-season competition, with author JK Rowling objecting to the inclusion of the team.
Zelic, who has hosted SBS’s World Cup soccer coverage, echoed those sentiments, posting on Twitter: “I don’t agree with transgender participants in women’s sport.”
He has now responded to World Netball’s participation and inclusion policy, applauding the governing body for its “tremendous leadership” on the issue.
Lucy Zelic backed World Netball’s stance on transgender inclusion in women’s football
“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.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been an outspoken critic of the transgender movement and clashed with online activists over her strong views, sparking protests for her to be investigated under Scotland’s new hate crime rules.
Rowling was referred to police Scotland for referring to several transgender women, including activists, convicted prisoners and celebrities, as “men” in a series of tweets.
Police Scotland later confirmed that no action will be taken against the famous British writer after she defied the country’s new hate legislation with that flood of messages.
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 Daily Mail 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.
Zelic has been outspoken in her opinion on the issue after a big story in Australia.
A women’s soccer team featured five biological males and dominated a women’s tournament
‘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.”
A Football NSW spokesperson said the organization is “proud to be at the forefront of developing inclusive policies for sport in Australia and operates within the existing legal framework, including anti-discrimination legislation.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling criticized the move and was referred to Scottish police.
“Football NSW continues to align with Football Australia’s adoption of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Sport,” which states that community players can participate in football according to the gender they belong to. identify,” the spokesperson said.
The Australian Sports Commission’s statement on trans and gender diverse inclusion says: ‘All Australians should have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or ethnicity.
“It is important that sporting bodies, from local clubs to national sporting organisations, reflect the diversity of the communities they are part of and that together we ensure that every person is treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination.”