Deni Varnhagen, a registered nurse and Australian rules football player has been placed on her team’s inactive list for the upcoming season after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Varnhagen has publicly opposed the Australian Football League’s (AFL) vaccine mandate, which required all players and staff to receive their first dose by Nov. 19, and the second by Dec. 17.
The 29-year-old is also a registered nurse in intensive care units and faces the possibility of also losing her job in the health sector once its vaccine mandate deadline passes.
The CEO of the Adelaide Crows Women’s team, Tim Silvers, said the club had adopted a “team-first” approach, and the decision was made in the “best interests of the team” for the upcoming season.
“We would like to acknowledge and thank Deni for the significant contribution she has made to our women’s program over the past five seasons.”
Varnhagen was a member of the Crows’ inaugural team and has played 31 games, including the 2017 and 2019 premierships.
Its competitor, the National Rugby League (NRL), has ruled out vaccine mandates, but warned unvaccinated players they could face stringent protocols.
The NRL’s stance has come amid opposition from the code’s many Polynesian players, who are also religious.
She told reporters, “We are all terrified. We love working; we just want to be back working.”
“No one should be at threat of losing their jobs if they don’t enter a medical experiment.”
Vaccination deadlines in the health sector have expired across the country over the last week, with thousands of medical professionals suspended or stood down from their positions by state health authorities.
