- Netball Australia has rejected World Netball’s stance on inclusivity
- World Netball banned transgender players from international competition
- But the Australian agency will not follow national-level guidelines
A row has erupted in netball after Netball Australia rejected World Netball’s ban on transgender players from its elite competition.
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 international women’s competition.
World Netball said they came to the decision after lengthy discussions.
‘After a detailed review of the science and consultation with experts and members, the committee has determined that women’s netball at international level is a gender-influenced activity and that policy is needed. [to] ensure fairness and safety at this level of our sport,” said a statement from the organization.
WN added that national governing bodies should ‘modify or even not apply’ these guidelines and Netball Australia has chosen not to change their own policy from 2020, which welcomes transgender and gender diverse athletes into elite competitions, such as Super Netball.
Netball Australia has rejected World Netball’s position on transgender participation
World Netball has banned transgender players from competing in its international women’s competition with immediate effect
There are currently no transgender players in the national league. However, WN’s new policy means transgender players will not be eligible for selection to play for the Australia Diamonds.
Netball Australia said it is ‘proud of its industry-leading transgender guidelines for both community and elite netball’.
“These guidelines are based on a commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment in which all people can play football,” she added.
Netball Australia’s guidelines state that trans and gender diverse players must have a certain testosterone level measured in their blood for a period of 24 months.
That testosterone level should correspond to about half of what an average man would have.
Transgender players are allowed to participate in the local korfball competition.
SBS broadcaster Lucy Zelic publicly supported WN’s position, after previously taking a swipe at a women’s football team for fielding five biological males. The Flying Bats won a pre-season competition in NSW, with some dominant scores.
“Well done to World Netball who have shown tremendous leadership and published their participation and inclusion policy,” she posted on Tuesday.
Zelic has expressed concerns about the “integrity” of women’s sports if transgender athletes participate, adding: “Women are terrified to speak openly about this issue and that is not okay.”
But the Australian Super Netball competition will not follow World Netball guidelines. There are currently no transgender players competing in that league
On the Flying Bats official website, they claim they are ‘the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world’.
Club president Jennifer Peden told Ny Breaking Australia: ‘As a club, Flying Bats FC stands strongly for inclusion and prides itself on safe, respectful and fair play, the promotion of a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits of participating in sports, 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, form the basis for Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association’s gender inclusion policies at the community, grassroots level at which we play.
‘Trans women belong in the women’s league because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have been playing at the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to advanced, just like our cis women.
“Our players are assessed for skill and placed in the team most appropriate for their skill and experience level.”