Several football clubs in Adelaide have lodged formal complaints about a “transgender” male competing in a women’s competition, citing safety risks to female players.
The duty of care complaints from three separate Adelaide Footy League clubs were sparked by a series of incidents involving the male player, including an off-ball hit in round five, although the player was not reported.
The male player previously competed in the senior men’s competition but now “identifies” as a woman, and has been allowed to play against women in a lower division as a result, The Advertiser reported.
The AFL requires players who claim to be “transgender” to show low testosterone levels to be eligible for the AFLW, but self-identification is sufficient for lower level leagues under its controversial Gender Diversity Policy, with a special committee able to make final rulings.
A spokesperson for one of the three clubs said they felt “hung out to dry” by the AFL, and that the same rules should apply at all levels.
“It shouldn’t be up to the clubs, it should be up to the AFL, and a player like this shouldn’t be playing local women’s footy,” he said.
“You can’t have a rule that says certain people are ineligible at the top level but eligible in amateur footy. There is a physical danger for opposition players and there has been a mental anxiety that goes along with that as well.”
Another frustrated club spokesperson said the AFL should be providing more support.
“We’re fed up, the AFL should spend more time on making sure their own game is up to scratch before telling us what to do…someone is going to get seriously hurt if this continues,” they said.
Adelaide Footy League’s chief executive John Kernahan said the league was bound by the AFL’s Diversity Policy, but clubs were able to make submissions on player safety.
“Within that policy, a league can offer its position and our position is that there is a player with the ability to pick another player off, in an environment where opponents may not have the sixth sense, experience or preparation to defend themselves against someone who has seemingly acquired that ability playing in men’s competition without even factoring in physical advantages,” he said.
“This isn’t about transgender players, this is about the physical risk and duty of care regarding one player and the clubs have every right to raise concerns on behalf of their members just as the player, as per the policy, has a right to participate.”
The inclusion of transgender players in female competitions stems in part from former Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s 2013 amendments to Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act, which extended protections to include “gender identity.”
The Australian Sports Commission’s National Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Sport were developed to align with that amended legislation, although the federal Sex Discrimination Act contains an exemption for sport where strength, stamina or physique is relevant.
The amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act were also recently referenced in the Tickle vs Giggle Federal Court case, where female-only app Giggle was found to have discriminated against a man called “Roxanne” Tickle by banning him for not being a woman.
Header image: The off-ball hit that sparked complaints.
