Medical experts and basketball executives set to make call on whether the trans athlete can join the women’s league

A transgender athlete’s bid to play in a women’s Victorian basketball league could be rejected because of tests carried out to determine their eligibility.

A transgender athlete’s bid to play in a women’s Victorian basketball league could be rejected because of tests carried out to determine their eligibility.

A panel of medical experts and basketball executives will meet as early as Thursday in a bid to make a call on whether the athlete should be allowed to compete in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

The Herald Sun has been told the panel will consider “physicality and strength’’ among factors to determine whether the player is eligible, along with new Victorian “Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Basketball”.

Practice footage of the player on court will be reviewed by the panel.

Andrew Bogut has shared his views about the issue on social media. Picture: Getty

But tests including testosterone counts have also been carried out and are expected to be a key consideration in the case.

Sources said there were concerns about the window of time that testing took place and the panel could order that more tests be completed.

They could also reject the application and ask the athlete to go through the process again.

It is hoped a decision can be reached quickly, with pre season matches commencing this weekend and the regular season tipping off in early April.

If cleared to play, the athlete could miss the opening rounds of the season as basketball Victoria and the league run an “education program’’ for players, coaches and support staff.

A meeting of team leaders and captains from across the league will also be held to discuss the matter.

Basketball Victoria declined to speak about the issue on Wednesday, apart from reaffirming the league had received an application to participate in the season by a transgender athlete.

“Basketball Victoria, in collaboration with Basketball Australia, have been working through the final stages of eligibility of the athlete for the 2023 season,’’ it said.

“Currently a decision is yet to be made.’’

The new inclusion guidelines were developed over several months by Basketball Victoria, Basketball Australia and transgender community representatives.

The 15 page guidelines, dated February this year, state “Basketball Victoria recognises that the inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse people within sport can be complex and emotive for many people.’’

They affirm the governing body’s “commitment to the inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse people in basketball” and to ensure “programs and facilities are accessible for Transgender and Gender Diverse people.’’

Aussie Olympian and NBA champion Andrew Bogut took to social media about the issue on Monday.

“Word is @NBL1 South Women will have a biological Male playing this upcoming season,’’ he tweeted.

“Are you OK with sacrificing the sanctity of Female Sport in the name of “inclusion”?

NBL1 South is a semi professional competition, owned and operated by Basketball Victoria, with teams in Victoria, Tasmania and parts of South Australia.

Originally published as Medical experts and basketball executives set to make call on whether the trans athlete can join the women’s league