Latest news with #NetballVictoria
Sky News AU
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Two Sky News hosts say banning of two transgender players from community netball league 'common sense' move
Two Sky News hosts have welcomed the banning of two transgender competitors from playing women's netball in Victoria, describing it as "common sense". The Riddell District Netball League made the decision to ban two transgender players due their "superior stamina and physique", the Herald Sun revealed, amid Netball Victoria's investigation over whether they posed a safety risk to women players. An independent expert was brought in by Netball Victoria to review possible on-court safety risks after a club in Melbourne's outer north flagged concerns about the size and strength of the two transgender players who represent Melton Central. The investigation was sparked after Melton South players threatened to boycott matches against Melton Central due to their safety concerns about playing the team. Danica Di Giorgio said "common sense has finally prevailed". "Why you even need an investigation is beyond me," she told viewers on Thursday. The Sky News host added it is "great" the transgender players had been banned, but she believes "it should have been obvious in the first place". One of the two banned competitors, Manawa Aranui, had been rejected by a netball league in Ballarat when she tried to join a women's team in April. Ms Aranui had previously played in elite men's netball, the Herald Sun reported. She hit out on social media on Wednesday, saying she had been "dragged publicly... into a conversation where both my character and identity have been attacked". Ms Aranui went on to say "these bigots don't deserve my time". Di Giorgio argued people should not be labelled as "bigot" if they had the opinion that "a man should not be competing in a woman's league". Sall Grover, the founder of female-only social media app Giggle, agreed, claiming the issue had "advanced" because people are "too scared to talk about" it. "The only way it was able to sort of infiltrate society like it has was shutting down anybody who questioned it and so it's been years, for some women over a decade, of desperately trying to speak out and be heard and saying they're men," she said. "Our bodies play sports and sport is divided by sex and sometimes age and sometimes weight, depending on what the sport is. All he has to do is play in his sex class like literally everybody else. But yeah, instead we all get called bigots for stating the truth. "I think the time is up on that now. I think that the train's definitely left the station. Every day people are starting to go, 'hang on, what's going on cause they went too far?'" Fellow Sky News host Peta Credlin also labelled it a "win for common sense". She argued a video circulating of Ms Aranui knocking over a female competitor should not have to make the news before governing bodies take action. Broadcaster and Save Womens' Sport advocate Lucy Zelic said it was the "unfortunate reality" as sporting bodies had shown "immense cowardice to this particular issue". "The point that we need to talk about is the integrity of the sport, the safety of the sports," she told Credlin. Ms Zelic suggested more politicians should speak up on the issue, pointing to Senator Claire Chandler who has spoken publicly about protecting women's sport. The Riddell and Ballarat leagues had highlighted Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act as the reason why the players were barred, as it says sporting bodies can rule transgender competitors ineligible to participate due to strength and physique. Ms Aranui had also claimed she was the one to be recruited. 'This won't be a long novel — because frankly, these bigots don't deserve my time or energy... Melton South Football Netball Club and your Netball Coordinator/players: you're entitled to your opinions, but let's clear some things up," she wrote on Facebook. 'Your head coach tried to recruit me to play for your club. Yes — YOUR HEAD COACH TRIED TO RECRUIT ME.'
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Gender-diverse players removed from Victorian netball leagues
A gender-diverse netballer has labelled an opposition club "hypocrites" after they were removed from a second senior women's netball league. Manawa Aranui's removal came after club complaints and "safety concerns". They hit out on social media after they and another gender-diverse player were deemed ineligible to play in the Riddells District Football Netball League (RDFNL) for the rest of the season due to their "superior stamina and physique". In a statement, the league said opposition clubs had threatened to boycott matches involving Aranui. According to Aranui's social media post, complaints made against them to the league came from the same club that had tried to recruit them. "The same club now publicly speaking out against me, bashing me, and attacking the trans/non-binary community in the media, is the very club whose head coach approached me to join you," they wrote. Aranui denied claims they were "dangerous" and had "run full-speed into players and (knocked) them over", stating they had never been "warned, penalised, or reprimanded". The opposing club has been approached for comment. Teams in the RDFNL threatened to boycott matches in which the players competed because they felt "physically and mentally threatened on court". An RDFNL spokesperson said the league would continue to adopt Netball Victoria's gender and anti-discrimination policies, but said it had no choice but to look at what neighbouring leagues were doing. "We are also working very closely with some other leagues on a sub-section under the Netball Victoria Policy that gives our league the opportunity to be flexible," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said Netball Victoria had this month appointed an "external investigator" to look at the participation of the players. "The RDFNL are yet to receive further information on the external investigator and have had no communication from said person," the spokesperson said. Netball Victoria's gender diversity policy states that players are allowed to play "in accordance with their gender identity, irrespective of their legal sex classification". However, the governing body's guidance to clubs also confirms that players can be excluded from competitions when their "strength, stamina or physique of players is relevant". It was the second time Aranui had been deemed ineligible to play in a competition this year. The ABC understands Aranui was also excluded from the Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) in April to "protect the safety of all players". A statement from the league said it had deemed the player ineligible, and that they had previously played "with an all-male netball team and now identifies as gender diverse". The league said it sought legal advice that it could lawfully exclude the player from a sporting competition where "strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant". "We have tremendous empathy for the player involved and absolutely respect and support their personal choices and respect their right to privacy," the BFNL spokesperson said. In 2024, World Netball banned transgender players from international competition with immediate effect under a new participation and inclusion policy. In a statement, Netball Victoria said it continued to support netballers of all backgrounds, including gender-diverse players. "When concerns about safety in any form are raised, Netball Victoria will and does undertake a review in the interests of the welfare of participants." Sporting administrator Peta Guy said each case needed to be judged on its specifics, especially in contact-heavy sports. "If you've got something where people have high impact, you know AFL, rugby or something like that, then you know size and strength really does matter. "The overriding principle is that no association wants to drive potential players away and at the same time, they've got to be completely aware of how decisions that they make impact their members, the players." Ms Guy said when rules were set, there would be exceptions. "I think you've got to look at the fundamental principles, the health and wellbeing of the players and fairness," she said. Ms Guy said there had been rules implemented on gender policy in England. "It's now having adverse consequences, particularly in an era where you have non-binary people," she said. "If you have a rule that then excludes them … then you're not doing your sport the best favour."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two transgender netball players banned after opponent sent crashing to ground
Two transgender netball players have been banned from competing in Australia after a video showed one of them knocking an opponent to the ground. Rival teams threatened a boycott over footage of Melton Central player Manawa Aranui sending a member of the Romsey team crashing to the court. There was no foul and Aranui, who played elite men's netball before transition, is seen offering to help the opponent to her feet. However, following a host of complaints, Victoria's Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) announced the two trans Melton Central team-mates were now excluded from competition. Credit: Snapchat/Social media Melton South Netball Club had threatened to boycott matches against Melton Central due to safety concerns. The RDFNL acknowledges the pair 'exhibit superior stamina and physique' in a statement explaining the ban. '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,' a statement said. Netball Victoria has also confirmed it is investigating the issue by engaging an independent expert to assess concerns. The Daily Mail reports Aranui had already faced bans from other governing bodies after transitioning. In April, the Ballarat Football Netball League deemed Aranui ineligible for their women's competition after obtaining legal advice citing the Sex Discrimination Act. Yet Aranui continued to play for Melton Central, for whom she was recently named best on court in a Division 1 grand final. Melton South's netball coordinator Melissa Dawson subsequently told News Corp reporters in Australia that she would support her players if they chose to forfeit games over safety concerns. 'One of the players is six foot something – it's ridiculous,' she said. 'Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological females first.' In response, a furious Aranui said on Facebook: 'I've sat quietly long enough while this narrative brewed and I've been dragged – publicly and without consent – into a conversation where both my character and identity have been attacked. Now, it's exploded across social media and news outlets. 'I'm not usually one to let outside noise affect me, but when 'opinions' and 'statements' are being twisted and presented as facts, I no longer feel it's my place to stay silent. 'This won't be a long novel – because frankly, these bigots don't deserve my time or energy. But since things have gotten nasty, let's set the record straight. 'Melton South Football Netball Club and your Netball Coordinator/players: you're entitled to your opinions, but let's clear some things up. 'Your head coach tried to recruit me to play for your club. Yes – YOUR HEAD COACH TRIED TO RECRUIT ME. The same club now publicly speaking out against me, bashing me, and attacking the trans/non-binary community in the media, is the very club whose head coach approached me to join you. (Read that again. Let it sink in.) #Hypocrites.' Netball Victoria allows non-binary and transgender players to register and play in female competitions based on self-identified gender, not legal sex. That contrasts with protections for women's sport in the UK. England Netball was among organisations to immediately ban all transgender women from competing in the female category in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that the word 'woman' applies to biological females. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Two transgender netball players banned after opponent sent crashing to ground
Two transgender netball players have been banned from competing in Australia after a video showed one of them knocking an opponent to the ground. Rival teams threatened a boycott over footage of Melton Central player Manawa Aranui sending a member of the Romsey team crashing to the court. There was no foul and Aranui, who played elite men's netball before transition, is seen offering to help the opponent to her feet. However, following a host of complaints, Victoria's Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) announced the two trans Melton Central team-mates were now excluded from competition. Melton South Netball Club had threatened to boycott matches against Melton Central due to safety concerns. The RDFNL acknowledges the pair 'exhibit superior stamina and physique' in a statement explaining the ban. '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,' a statement said. Netball Victoria has also confirmed it is investigating the issue by engaging an independent expert to assess concerns. The Daily Mail reports Aranui had already faced bans from other governing bodies after transitioning. In April, the Ballarat Football Netball League deemed Aranui ineligible for their women's competition after obtaining legal advice citing the Sex Discrimination Act. Yet Aranui continued to play for Melton Central, for whom she was recently named best on court in a Division 1 grand final. Melton South's netball coordinator Melissa Dawson subsequently told News Corp reporters in Australia that she would support her players if they chose to forfeit games over safety concerns. 'One of the players is six foot something – it's ridiculous,' she said. 'Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological females first.' Netball Victoria allows non-binary and transgender players to register and play in female competitions based on self-identified gender, not legal sex.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Startling new video surfaces of trans player Manawa Aranui at centre of Melton South Netball Club boycott storm
Video has surfaced of one of the players at the centre of a netball team's trans boycott threat knocking an opponent to the ground on Saturday. The footage shows Melton Central player Manawa Araunui - who played men's netball at an elite level before transitioning - sending a player from the Romsey team crashing to the court in a completely legal piece of play, then offering to help her to her feet. Melton South Netball Club has threatened to boycott matches against Melton Central due to safety concerns over the fielding of the two trans players. Netball Victoria has confirmed it is investigating the issue by engaging an independent expert to assess the concerns raised by multiple players and clubs. The review follows mounting complaints about the physicality of some transgender players, with claims that their size and strength create an uneven and potentially dangerous playing field. Manawa Aranui, who previously played high level men's netball, transitioned and began playing in women's competitions, sparking safety and fairness concerns across several leagues. In April, the Ballarat Football Netball League deemed Aranui ineligible for their women's competition after obtaining legal advice citing the Sex Discrimination Act. That act allows exclusion where 'strength, stamina or physique' are relevant to competition. Despite this, Aranui continues to play for Melton Central, where she was recently named best on court in a Division 1 grand final. Melton Central president Paul Sinclair confirmed both transgender players would take the court while the club awaits formal direction from Netball Victoria. Melton South's netball coordinator Melissa Dawson told News Corp she would support her players if they chose to forfeit games over safety concerns. 'One of the players is six foot something – it's ridiculous,' she said. 'Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological females first.' B Grade player Erin described her discomfort facing the transgender athletes. 'I went up for the ball and just got pushed and dropped,' she said. 'They're so much stronger, and I'm genuinely scared I'll get hurt.' Non-binary netball player David Capron (left) has competed in both men's and women's competitions and believes 'biological gender has nothing to do with ability' Erin said she would sit out any future games against Melton Central if the players remain in the lineup. Another Melton South player said a boycott might be the only way to send a clear message. 'It deters women from playing the sport they love,' she said. 'We've worked hard to keep girls in the game.' Netball Victoria said it remains committed to inclusion and is following its gender diversity policy developed in consultation with Proud 2 Play and based on national sport inclusion guidelines. 'We support and welcome netballers of all backgrounds,' a spokesperson said. 'That includes gender diverse players who have rights under anti-discrimination laws.' Netball Victoria's 2018 bylaw change allows non-binary and transgender players to register and play in female competitions based on self-identified gender, not legal sex. That rule opened the door for players like David Capron, a national men's player who competed in both men's and women's leagues. Capron, who uses he/him and they/them pronouns, said his goal was to be a 'beacon of hope' for queer youth in community sport. 'Biological gender has nothing to do with ability,' he said. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) guidelines on the inclusion of transgender athletes state that sports must comply with the Sex Discrimination Act, which makes it unlawful to discriminate, harass or victimise people due to their sex or gender identity. There are exemptions for sports in which unfair advantages or safety risks can be objectively proven. The ASC states, '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 bodies, from local clubs through to national sporting organisations, reflect the diversity in the communities they are a part of, and that together, we ensure every person is treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination.' In May 2017, the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission release guidelines on trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport. They state that sporting organisations will be breaking the law under the Equal Opportunity Act if they exclude people from participating in a sporting activity, or refuse or fail to select them in a team, on the basis of their sex or gender identity. However, exceptions could apply 'if strength, stamina or physique is relevant'.
