Transgender Netball Players Banned in Australia Amid Safety Concerns

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Transgender Netball Players Banned in Australia Amid Safety Concerns

 

Two transgender athletes have been banned from competing in Australian netball following widespread concern over player safety, sparked by footage showing one of them forcefully knocking down an opponent during a match. The video, which quickly drew public attention, shows Manawa Aranui of Melton Central colliding with a Romsey player, sending her to the court. Although no foul was called and Aranui is seen offering assistance to the fallen player, the incident has ignited a national debate about the inclusion of transgender women in female sports competitions.

🚨 Transgender netballer FLATTENS female opponent

Calls for bans grow after former men's league player crashes into female rival during weekend netball match.

FULL REPORT: https://t.co/nupMt29vLr pic.twitter.com/LJirDQiyOJ

— Rebel News Australia (@RebelNews_AU) May 28, 2025

 

Aranui, who transitioned after competing in elite men’s netball in Australia, was one of two trans athletes playing for Melton Central in Victoria’s Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL). After mounting complaints from rival teams and concerns for player safety, the league made the decision to exclude both players for the remainder of the 2025 season.

 

 

“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,” the league said in a formal statement.

 

The controversy deepened when Melton South Netball Club threatened to boycott matches against Melton Central if the two transgender players remained eligible. Melissa Dawson, netball coordinator for Melton South, voiced strong concerns over fairness and player welfare. “One of the players is six foot something – it’s ridiculous,” she told reporters. “Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological females first.”

 

Netball Victoria has since confirmed it is reviewing the matter and has commissioned an independent expert to evaluate the situation. While the organisation currently allows transgender and non-binary players to participate in female competitions based on self-identified gender, it now faces growing pressure to reconsider that stance.

 

This is not the first time Aranui has faced restrictions. In April, the Ballarat Football Netball League ruled her ineligible to compete in its women’s league, citing legal advice related to the Sex Discrimination Act. Nevertheless, Aranui continued to play for Melton Central and was recently named best on court in a Division 1 grand final.

 

The issue reflects a wider global divide in how sports bodies handle transgender participation. In the UK, recent developments have taken a firmer stance. Following a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year affirming that the term “woman” refers specifically to biological females, England Netball and other governing bodies promptly banned all transgender women from female categories in their competitions.

 

The debate over fairness, inclusion, and safety continues to fuel both legal and ethical discussions in sport. As Australia wrestles with where to draw the line, Netball Victoria’s decision in the coming months may set a precedent for how gender identity and competitive equity can or cannot coexist in the future of women's sports.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-05-30

 

 

[quake]

Good. 

Blokes,  get out of women's  sport.

[Lucky Bones]

Benny Hill or Kenny Everett would have a field day with this stuff.🙃🙃

[watchcat]

21 minutes ago, quake said:

Good. 

Blokes,  get out of women's  sport.

 

That's the only way they can win.

[EVENKEEL]

Manawa best try that transitioning bit again.