Moment trans netball player flattens opponent before being banned from league as rival teams threaten to boycott matches
THIS is the moment a transgender netball player sent a rival crashing to the court - just days before being banned from competing as teams threatened to boycott matches.
Footage shows Manawa Aranui, a former elite men's player, crashing into an opponent during a hard but legal play in Australia.
4
4
4
4
The rival Romsey player hits the deck as Aranui — towering over her — immediately offers a hand to help her up.
The clash on Sunday's match has since sparked outrage across the Victorian netball community with.
On Wednesday, the Riddell District Netball Football League (RDFNL) announced that Aranui and another transgender player from Melton Central have now been banned for the rest of the 2025 season.
The bombshell move came after Melton South Netball Club threatened to boycott all games involving the pair over safety fears.
The league said: '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 stamina and physique over their competitors deeming Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act relevant.'
That section of the law allows sporting bodies to exclude players if "strength, stamina, or physique" could create an unfair advantage or risk.
Aranui — who previously starred in men's netball — has become a lightning rod in Australia's growing trans-in-sport debate.
She was named best on ground in a Division 1 grand final for Melton Central, fuelling calls for a ban.
Melton South netball coordinator Melissa Dawson said: 'One of the players is six foot something – it's ridiculous. Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological females first.'
B Grade player Erin added: 'I went up for the ball and just got pushed and dropped. They're so much stronger, and I'm genuinely scared I'll get hurt.'
Trans women are NOT women, Supreme Court rules in win for anti-woke campaigners after battle over female-only spaces
She said she would sit out any future games against Melton Central if the players remained in the lineup.
Another player added: 'It deters women from playing the sport they love. We've worked hard to keep girls in the game.'
Women's rights campaigner Sall Grover also weighed in, demanding Aranui's immediate removal from female competitions.
'There are many mixed-sex netball competitions at the recreational level,' she said.
'Everyone on those teams is making a choice to participate in a mixed-sex competition.'
Grover, founder of women-only social app Giggle for Girls, warned: 'Males on female teams put the females in danger, while taking away the limited opportunities there are for sportswomen.'
She continued: 'There are protections in the Sex Discrimination Act for female-only sport — look them up.
'It's about women having the right to play sport without fear of injury or losing opportunity.'
Despite being ruled ineligible by the Ballarat Football Netball League in April, Aranui was still playing for Melton Central until the RDFNL stepped in this week.
Melton Central president Paul Sinclair previously confirmed both transgender players would continue taking the court while the club awaited direction from Netball Victoria.
Now, that direction appears to be coming into sharper focus.
Netball Victoria has launched a formal investigation, engaging an independent expert to assess concerns raised by multiple clubs and players.
A spokesperson said: 'We support and welcome netballers of all backgrounds. That includes gender diverse players who have rights under anti-discrimination laws.'
Netball Victoria's 2018 policy — developed with Proud 2 Play and based on national guidelines — allows players to compete based on self-identified gender, not legal sex.
But the fierce backlash has put pressure on officials to review how those policies are applied when safety and fairness are raised.
Equality Australia argues against blanket bans, insisting 'community-level sport should focus on inclusion and participation.'
But critics say the current system fails to protect female athletes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Ange-ball was breath of fresh air but Europa League alone could not save him
Ange Postecoglou advanced his case to the last. And it was a measure not only of his ability to own the narrative, to master it, but his body of work at Tottenham that he was able to do so with such conviction. The manager was charged with three tasks when he was given the job in June 2023. To overhaul the team's playing style, essentially to make them more entertaining. To reboot the squad with an emphasis on youth. And to win. Actually, there was a fourth, which talked to pretty much everything. To reshape the culture around the club, unifying everyone behind a cause, an identity. The way that Postecoglou told it and will continue to tell it as he processes how he has become the latest statistic of the Daniel Levy era is he delivered on the principle three. And, despite all the external negativity, he struck a telling blow at the very end in the battle to tick the final box. Ange-ball was a breath of fresh air at Spurs, the counterpoint to the counterattacking of the previous three managers – José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo and Antonio Conte. The club's fans want their team to play on the front foot, to take chances and there is no doubt that Postecoglou has the same vision. It is how he always looks to set up, with pace and aggression, the change showcased to wide eyes from his first match – the pre‑season friendly against West Ham in Australia. The difference to what had been before was radical. Postecoglou bought into the selection policy, the bets on players with high ceilings for improvement, even if he knew that moving on a good number of experienced ones, starting with Harry Kane, was a risk. In a sense the approach has represented Levy going back to what he has long believed in. A part of Postecoglou's legacy is the successful promotion of a host of young signings – including Micky van de Ven, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Brennan Johnson. You can also include Destiny Udogie, who was new to the squad when Postecoglou arrived and also Pape Sarr, who had not played much for the team. The most robust pillar of Postecoglou's legacy is, of course, what he and the team achieved in the Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final in Bilbao to draw a thick line under the club's 17-year trophy drought. It was so much more than Postecoglou making good on his 'I always win things in my second season' comment. The triumph brought a mass outpouring of emotion among supporters who have been mocked without mercy by their rivals in London and beyond. For those that made it to Bilbao, in particular, it was the night that will live for ever in their hearts. It has lifted a weight from the club, breaking a cycle that had almost become self-perpetuating, providing a riposte to the pundits who, as Postecoglou would have it, are quick to lead the pile-ons; to all of those who do. Elite-level football is about the do-or-die moments. One result really can change perceptions, how a club feels about itself; the same with people on the outside. Thanks to Postecoglou, Spurs can call themselves winners. They have even kicked down the backdoor into the Champions League. So, how has Levy made this decision, one that has triggered the inevitable backlash? Trust him to sack a manager who has actually won. It is because Levy does not like winners. It is not who Spurs are, mate. Here is the thing. When Levy weighed up the case against Postecoglou, he found that – weirdly, uniquely – it also carried an irresistible strength. The chair loved Bilbao. He is grateful to Postecoglou for it. But what Levy wants is more than a one-punch knockout. Consider the line in his programme notes from the last game of the season against Brighton. 'The Europa League is one trophy – our clear ambition as a club has always been long-term, sustained success … competing for top honours every year,' he wrote. For the majority of his tenure, Postecoglou sung from the same hymn sheet. He said that a cup victory would not be a 'panacea'. Consistency in the Premier League was the priority. Do that and the rest would take care of itself. He changed his tune from around the turn of the year, a shift born out of circumstance – specifically an injury-hit squad being unable to fight on multiple fronts. Postecoglou would put everything on the Europa League, coming to rest and rotate for it; an all-or-nothing gamble, which he felt paid off handsomely. And yet – as even he admitted – not everyone at the club was happy with the strategy. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion In the final analysis, Levy was unable to look beyond the league form and the sample size was huge. After Postecoglou made a thrilling start to his tenure, winning eight and drawing two of 10 league matches, his record in the competition read: P66 W23 D9 L34 Pts 78. Do the sums and it is 45 points per 38 games, the length of a season. This time out, Spurs collected just 38 points to limp home in 17th. Only once in their history have they had a worse record – in 1914-15 when they won eight and drew 12 of 38 matches. In the Europa League knockout rounds, Postecoglou's team beat AZ, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bodø/ Glimt and the worst version of United since 1973-74 according to league statistics. In the cold light of day, Levy concluded that the run could not make up for the consistent vulnerability in the league. He looked past Postecoglou's assertion that 17th was a false position because of the bet on Europe; it was unacceptable, a failure to balance the demands. How could Levy be confident that Postecoglou would manage better in a Champions League season? Furthermore, were the injuries not a consequence of his full-throttle approach? Whither Ange-ball? It was to Postecoglou's credit that he rowed back on some of his fundamentals – most notably in the Europa League. One of the defining images of his tenure was in the early weeks against Chelsea when, despite two red cards, he ordered all of his remaining outfield players to hold a defensive line on halfway. That seems like a long time ago, as did the giddy praise for such derring-do. Equally, we did not see much of the fast and incisive stuff in his closing months. 'Are you not entertained?' Postecoglou once memorably asked, channelling his inner Gladiator. Yes, Ange, we were. The English game has lost a compelling character.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Harris inspires Bears win, Blaze beat Essex
Australian Laura Harris produced another powerful batting display as the Bears beat Somerset by 69 runs at Edgbaston to move to the top of the Women's T20 Blast group raced to 50 off 17 deliveries against Durham last month and was only two balls slower this time as her 77 helped the home side to a score of had Emma Corney taken off on a stretcher with a leg injury during the Bears innings, and she was unable to bat as they replied with 103-9, skipper Georgia Davis taking 3-12 and Millie Taylor 3-13 for the hosts. At Derby, The Blaze climbed to second with a seven-wicket win over Essex, who were bowled out for 104 before Kathryn Bryce saw her side home with an unbeaten 51 off 51 scorecards The Bears made a poor start after being put in by Somerset skipper Sophie Luff, losing Abi Freeborn and Issy Wong in the second over, and Davina Perrin in the fourth, with Mollie Robbins taking all three struggled to 73-5 at the halfway point of their innings but the visitors then lost Corney, who twisted her leg awkwardly while Kalis helped Harris add 44 for the sixth wicket before she was unluckily run out for 32 when Amanda-Jane Wellington deflected a straight drive by her partner into the stumps at the bowler's though, hit fours sixes and nine fours in her exhilarating 34-ball knock which came to an end when she was run out attempting a second run from the final ball of the innings. The Somerset run chase never really got going as Davis had Amelie Munday stumped for 19 and added the vital wicket of Fran Wilson, who gave a catch to mid-off after making 31 from 32 was the only other batter to reach double figures but had only made 13 when she gave a return catch to Hannah also removed Griffiths as Somerset slumped from 82-3 to 98-8 and pace bowler Wong finished the visitors off when Hannah Jones was caught at long-on at the start of the final over. In the day's other game, a brilliant piece of fielding by The Blaze's Ella Claridge provided the early highlight as she dived full length at gully to make a one-handed save and then ran out Lissy MacLeod who had been called for a single by Grace only reached 50 in the 12th over but Maddie Penna (17), Jo Gardner (22) and Sophia Smale (16) helped them reach three figures before Kate Coppack and Abtaha Maqsood were run out from the final two balls of their Elwiss was caught behind off Coppack for a duck at the start of The Blaze's reply, and Esmae MacGregor (2-28) added the wickets of Marie Kelly and Sarah Kathryn Bryce - who had earlier taken 2-11 in Essex's innings - took her side home in style off the first ball of the 15th over by hitting left-arm spinner Smale for a straight six to end the game and bring up her own half-century off 51 balls. Saturday fixtures Old Trafford: Lancashire Thunder v Surrey (13:00 BST start)Arundel: Hampshire Hawks v Durham (14:30)Trent Bridge: The Blaze v Somerset (15:00)
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Stunning before and after photos reveal the power of sea cucumber collagen to ERASE wrinkles - and it's 25% off with a free gift right now
You never know what might turn up in your skin care products. What we do know is that there are several tried-and-true ingredients that can make all the difference when your primary concern is reducing the visible signs of aging. Among them is sea cucumber, widely known as a leading source of collagen. The protein naturally declines with age, reducing skin's elasticity and leaving it more prone to wrinkles. Australian skin care company Bescher harnesses the power of the marine complex in its bestselling Sea Cucumber Collagen Day and Night Pack — and it's truly a dynamic duo. Bescher Sea Cucumber Collagen Day and Night Pack Elevate your skin care routine with this luxurious, nourishing, and clinically proven set. You'll receive a Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Aging Cream, Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Cream, and a Konjac sponge. Used together, the trio smooths, hydrates, and reduces the visible signs of aging (and other imperfections) to leave your complexion flawless. Right now you can save 25 percent sitewide — plus get a FREE $119 serum with your $200+ order and a free Beauty PUffer Bag with orders over $300. Save 25% Shop It's also an amazing deal right now, as you can save 25 percent sitewide. You'll also get a free Bescher Regeneration Serum worth $119 with your $200+ order and a free Beauty Puffer Bag valued at $69 with orders over $300. The set includes a 1.7-ounce jar of Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Aging Cream and a 1-ounce bottle of Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Serum, along with a complimentary Konjac sponge to gently slough away dead skin and leave skin smoother and softer. Think of sea cucumber collagen as your secret weapon. It flies a bit under the radar as anti-aging ingredients go, but it deserves all of the love. Compared to other ingredients, it absorbs beautifully and leaves your barrier softer and stronger. In fact, clinical evidence supports its efficacy — sea cucumbers are largely made with collagen, which helps them regenerate. Because they possess such incredible restorative powers, the marine collagen form repairs your own collagen stores while supporting better elasticity. With regular use, your skin becomes stronger and more resilient. On top of that, it will be better equipped to handle other common concerns, like acne, oxidative stress, inflammation, scarring, and, of course, expression lines. Using the products together is the key to seeing the greatest effect. The serum is hypercharged with Matrixyl® 3000 peptides, hyaluronic acid, and orange stem cells. The ingredients work overtime to firm your complexion while boosting its glow. The companion cream is rich and nourishing, with additional ingredients like Kakadu plum extract, squalane, and Munapsys™ peptides. It's the ultimate smoothing complex, known for reversing even deep dryness while minimizing the effects of age, stress, and free radicals. Adding the sponge to your routine is vital, as it smooths away dead skin cells, dirt, makeup, and oil to leave your skin soft and vibrant. Eliminating dead skin is also key to supporting better absorption, so you don't waste a single drop. Shoppers are absolutely stunned with the results, sharing their incredible before and after images to the Bescher website. Many have seen fewer lines and wrinkles, while others have lost age spots, acne scars, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and so much more. 'I'm very happy,' raved one shopper. 'Perfect for my skin! It does what it says, giving a beautiful, nourished feeling and glow on my face, plus some nice compliments come my way.' 'Love the serum and anti-aging cream! I have noticed a difference,' praised another. 'My skin feels like I've had a facial every day. Enjoying every product.' Get your skin set for summer with the Bescher Sea Cucumber Collagen Day and Night Pack, perfect for supporting your skin's needs while elevating your routine. Don't miss your chance to save 25 percent and get your free gifts with your order!
