Women’s Group Backs Move to Ban 2 Trans Players From Netball Competition

Two trans netballers have been removed from competition in Victoria amid concerns of physical advantage against biological female players.

A male and female icons in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 28, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

An Australian women’s rights group has welcomed a move by the Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) to ban two male-to-female trans players from competing for the remainder of the season.

Women’s Forum Australia CEO Rachael Wong called the move a “win for women” after two trans netballers playing for Victoria’s Melton Central were removed.

The RDFNL oversees Australian Rules and netball competitions in the region northwest of Melbourne.

In May, footage emerged of a netball match between Romsey and Melton Central.

Players can be seen competing for the ball and the much larger Melton Central’s Manawa Aranui bumping off an opposition player—Aranui previously played in the men’s competition.

The incident reportedly spurred players from other sides to discuss boycotts due to the size and strength disparity between the trans players and their biological female counterparts.

The RDFNL later issued a decision in the wake of a netball coordinators meeting held last month in response to complaints from clubs.

“The RDFNL have the option to consider the inclusion of Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act that allows exclusion on the grounds of ‘gender identity or intersex status by excluding persons from participation in any competitive sporting activity in which the strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant,” the RDFNL said in its statement.

Liz Watson of the Australian Diamonds and Phoenix Karaka of the Silver Ferns during game two of the Constellation Cup series between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the Australia Diamonds at TrustPower Arena in Tauranga, New Zealand on Oct. 16, 2022. Mark Tantrum/Getty Images

“After lengthy consideration and consultation, the RDFNL has ruled that the two transgender participants be excluded from the RDFNL Netball Competitions for the remainder of the 2025 season on the premise that both participants exhibit superior, strength, stamina and physique over their competitors deeming Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act relevant.

“The RDFNL will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders on this very sensitive issue and offer any support that we can. The RDFNL Board reserves the right to reconsider these options at a future date should circumstances change.”

Women’s Forum Australia’s Wong said the move put safety and fairness first.

“Well done Riddell District Football Netball League on putting safety and fairness for female players first,” she said.

“Men do not belong in women’s netball—or any women’s sport—no matter how they identify.”

Netball Policy on Trans Inclusion

Netball Victoria has a policy of supporting all gender identities in community games across the state.

The policy was drawn up in conjunction with Proud2Play—an organisation that lobbies for LGBT inclusion in sports—and was adopted in 2022.

The policy falls in line with that of the game’s national governing body.

In March 2024, Netball Australia released its latest update on the inclusion of trans and gender diverse individuals.

Within the document, Netball Australia asserts that players should be accepted in community netball on the basis of their gender identity regardless of their sex at birth.

However, Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act allows clubs to also act with discretion based on physicality.