The women’s football team at the center of a transgender dispute has confirmed it has been fielding biological men for the past 20 years.
Flying Bats FC won every match they played over the course of the Beryl Ackroyd Cup, a pre-season tournament in Sydney, Australia, winning the grand final 4-0 at Macquarie Park on Sunday to take home the $1000 top prize.
There were huge margins of victory in some matches, with a trans player scoring six goals in a 10-0 victory.
Parents and club officials have expressed concerns about the Bats’ participation in the competition, with some withdrawing their daughters from the games while others called for the team to play in the mixed competition.
In response, Flying Bats club president Jennifer Peden told Daily Mail Australia that “trans women belong in the women’s competition” and revealed that trans women have been playing for the club for at least 20 years.
Flying Bats have been fielding trans women for at least 20 years, club says
The team has five trans members, and it has been alleged that other players in the competition did not know they would have the opportunity to play against them (file image)
“Trans women belong in the female competition because it is the gender they identify with,” she said.
‘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 ability and placed on the most appropriate team for their skill level and experience, and we look forward to a respectful and competitive season among our 8 teams in 2024.”
Peden highlighted the importance of inclusion in sport and highlighted the multitude of benefits that come with playing at all levels.
“As a club, Flying Bats FC strongly champions inclusivity and we pride ourselves on safe, respectful and fair play, promoting a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and the important physical, social and health benefits mentality that “Participation in sport brings, especially to marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” he added.
‘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.”
Peden’s comment comes after the North West Sydney Football Association reportedly held an “emergency meeting” on the issue of transgender players in women’s competitions.
According to News Corp, officials expressed concern about the possibility of players suffering serious injuries.
The Flying Bats won the Beryl Ackroyd Cup with ease, much to the fury of parents and coaches. But the club president says that trans players belong in women’s football
Peden was reportedly at the meeting.
A Football NSW spokesperson said on Wednesday 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.”
“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.”