World Netball’s stance on trans athletes has received support from Lucy Zelic after the SBS commentator previously spoke out against a women’s football team featuring five biological males.
On Tuesday, the governing body announced that “those registered as female at birth, regardless of gender identity, and transgender athletes who can establish… that they have not experienced the biological effects of testosterone at any time” will be eligible to play in women’s netball . competition as part of their ‘participation and inclusion policy’.
World Netball’s stance follows a row in New South Wales after a women’s football team – Flying Bats FC – fielded five biological males to dominate a women’s pre-season competition, with author JK Rowling opposing the team’s inclusion.
Zelic, host of SBS’s World Cup coverage, echoed these sentiments, writing on Twitter: “I disagree with transgender participants in women’s sports.”
She has now responded to World Netball’s participation and inclusion policy, applauding the governing body for their ‘great leadership’ in this area.
Lucy Zelic supports World Netball’s position on the inclusion of transgender people in women’s football
“Well done to World Netball who have shown tremendous leadership and published their participation and inclusion policy,” she posted on Tuesday.
Zelic has expressed concerns about the “integrity” of women’s sports if transgender athletes participate, adding: “Women are terrified to speak openly about this issue and that is not okay.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been an outspoken critic of the transgender movement and clashed with activists online over her steadfast views – leading to calls for her to be investigated under Scotland’s new hate crime rules.
Rowling was referred to police in Scotland for referring to a number of transgender women, including campaigners, convicted prisoners and celebrities, as “men” in a series of tweets.
Scottish police later confirmed that no action would be taken against the famous British writer after she challenged the country’s new hate law with the flood of messages.
On the Flying Bats official website, they claim they are ‘the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world’.
Club president Jennifer Peden told Daily Mail Australia: ‘As a club, Flying Bats FC stands strongly for 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 of participating in sports, especially for marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a club that values our cisgender and transgender players equally.
Zelic was outspoken in her thoughts on the subject after a big story in Australia
A women’s soccer team fielded five biological males and dominated a women’s tournament
“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.
‘Trans women belong in the women’s league because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have been playing at the club for at least 20 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 appropriate for their skill and experience level.”
A Football NSW spokesperson said 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.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling criticized the move and was referred to Scottish police
“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.’
