The Australian Football League have received a mixed response after they refused the nomination of a transgender athlete from playing in the women’s league ahead of this week’s 2018 draft.
The AFL revealed on Tuesday that the ACT’s Hannah Mouncey would not be eligible to play in the AFLW 2018 after deliberation.
In a statement, the AFL outlined that the decision was reached after review by a subcommittee of AFL Commissioners, consultation with Mouncey and her management, the AFLPA, the Australian Sports Commission and Pride in Sport.
“The AFL has also been guided by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s guidelines ‘Trans and gender diverse inclusion in sort – complying with the Equal Opportunity Act 2010,” the statement reads.
“The subcommittee careful considered all of the information provided by Hannah, as well as the available data on transgender strength, stamina, physique along with the specific nature of the AFLW competition.”
The decision is limited to the 2018 AFLW draft and competition, and Mouncey will be eligible for future drafts in the AFLW.
AFL General Manager, Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch thanked Mouncey for her participation, and said her passion for the sport was undeniable.
“It was important to involve the right stakeholders to review all the information and data available. Every case will be decided on its own merits along with the individual circumstances of each future nominee,” Hosch said.
“We acknowledge Hannah’s openness and co-operation. She has contributed to a process which will substantially inform the development of the AFL’s transgender policy and procedure for future players at the elite level.”
The AFL’s decision has garnered a mixed response, with many voicing their criticism on social media.
Out footballer Jason Ball has slammed the decision as “nothing more than fear ignorance and lack of internal readiness.”
There are taller and heavier female athletes out there (Liz Cambage anyone). Hannah passed IOC guidelines, should have been allowed to play.
— Jason Ball (@jasonballau) October 17, 2017
“I hope for Hannah’s sake the AFL can sort their shit out before 2019,” Ball wrote on Twitter.
“It’s time to walk the walk, not just talk the talk on LGBTI inclusion.”
Prominent transgender Australian and military officer Catherine McGregor also expressed her disappointment, but said she understood the AFL’s decision.
“You’ve got to be realistic about this; Hannah is 190 cm tall and weights 100 kgs. She is a gifted athlete; she is physically powerful,” McGregor told ABC News Breakfast.
“I am immensely sympathetic to Hannah but I think you have to be a realistic in a high-impact, physical sport like AFL. There is going to be the odd occasion where someone does suffer because they are too gifted.”
Mouncey herself issued a response on social media following the decision, expressing her disappointment but thanking the AFL for their genuine approach.
“Despite not being able to take part in the draft, the AFL has given me the all clear to play for Ainslie next year in the AFL Canberra competition,” Mouncey wrote.
“I am very grateful and look forward to doing in 2018, before hopefully being able to nominate for next year’s draft.”
OIP Staff
Image:- Facebook
Support OUTinPerth
Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.
If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.
