The women’s football team at the center of the transgender battle has confirmed that they have used biological men for the past twenty years.
Flying Bats FC won every match they played at the Beryl Ackroyd Cup, a pre-season tournament in Sydney, Australia, and won the grand final 4-0 at Macquarie Park on Sunday to take home the $1000 jackpot .
In some matches the winning margins were huge, with one trans player scoring six goals in a 10-0 win.
Parents and club officials have expressed concerns about the Bats’ participation in the competition, with some withdrawing their daughters from matches, while others have 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 league” and revealed that trans women have been playing for the club for at least 20 years.
The Flying Bats have been featuring trans women for at least 20 years, the club says
The team includes five transgender members – and it is claimed that other players in the league were unaware they would have a chance of playing against them (stock image)
“Trans women belong in the women’s league because that is the gender they identify with,” she said.
‘Trans women have been playing at the club for at least twenty 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 suitable for their skill and experience level. We look forward to a respectful, competitive season for our eight teams in 2024.”
Peden emphasized the importance of inclusivity in sports and highlighted the many benefits that come with playing at all levels.
‘As a club, Flying Bats FC is strongly committed to 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 this brings. “Participation in sports especially involves marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” she 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, 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.”
Peden’s comment comes after reports of an ’emergency meeting’ on the subject of transgender players in female competitions, held by the North West Sydney Football Association.
According to News Corp, officials expressed concern about the potential for serious injuries to players.
The Flying Bats won the Beryl Ackroyd Cup with ease, much to the ire of parents and coaches. But the club’s chairman says trans players belong in the women’s game
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 endorsement of the Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport,” which will allow community players to participate in gender-based football with which they identify,” the spokesperson said.
The Australian Sports Commission’s statement on trans and gender diversity reads: ‘All Australians should have the opportunity to be involved in sport and physical activity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or ethnicity.
‘It is important that sporting organisations, from local clubs to national sporting organisations, reflect the diversity in the communities they are part of, and that together we ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination.’