One of the state’s leading sporting organisations is probing whether transgender players pose a safety risk to female players

Netball Victoria has engaged an independent expert to review possible on-court safety risks after a club in Melbourne’s outer north said it was worried about the size and strength of transgender players.

Victorian transgender netball player Manawa Aranui. Picture: Instagram,

Victoria’s peak netball body is ­investigating whether transgender players pose a safety risk to women players.

Netball Victoria launched the review after a ­series of complaints, and as one club threatened to boycott matches against a team with transgender players over concerns for players’ safety.

Netball Victoria has engaged an independent expert to review possible on-court safety risks after the club in Melbourne’s outer north said it was worried about the size and strength of the transgender players.

Fuming community netballers in the Riddell District Football Netball League say they “do not feel safe playing on biological males”.

The Melton South players are threatening to boycott their next game with Melton Central, which has come under fire for signing two transgender players, including former elite men’s player ­Manawa Aranui.

Manawa Aranui has previously played high level men’s netball. Picture: Instagram,

Aranui has since been playing for women's teams. Picture: Supplied

In April, the Ballarat Football Netball League was forced to seek legal advice after deeming Ms Aranui ineligible for selection in its all-female competition.

The Ballarat league said it was “deeply committed to ­inclusivity” but said it also had “obligations to ensure the health and safety of all players” in the competition.

“The league sought expert legal advice which confirmed that under Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act it is lawful to exclude a person from participation in any competitive sporting activity in which strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant,” a Ballarat league spokesman said.

Netball Victoria said it was working with Riddell District Football Netball League to find a “suitable resolution to the concerns raised about safety”.

“This includes appointing an independent expert to ­review the matter,” a spokeswoman said.

“Through our policy and ­actions we continue to support and welcome netballers of all backgrounds, including ­gender-diverse players who have rights under anti-discrimination laws that netball, like other community sports, must follow.”

Lawyers have been engaged by multiple leagues after Netball Victoria warned they could be in breach of Victoria’s anti-discrimination laws if they blocked transgender players, who were born male, from competing in women’s teams.

Melton South netball co-­ordinator Melissa Dawson, whose team competed against the transgender players earlier this year, said she would back her players who were “frightened to take to the court” if they decided to boycott.

Victorian transgender netball player Manawa Aranui was best on ground when her team won the premiership in 2024. Picture: Instagram

“One of the (transgender) players is six foot something – its ridiculous,” she said, noting she had a duty of care.

“Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological ­females first.”

B Grade Melton South netballer Erin said she was hesitant to go up for contests and feared being injured by a transgender opponent.

“I went up for the ball and just got pushed and just dropped to the ground,” she said of her previous encounter on the court.

“I get that they’re just doing their job as a defender, but they’ve got so much more power, they’re so much stronger.”

She stressed that she had no personal issue with the players, but said she was angered by women feeling disenfranchised with the sport they love. “These players played high- level men’s netball, and now they’re playing against us,” she said. “If we play them again and they’re in the team, I won’t be playing.

“I do not feel safe playing on biological males, and I want to make a point.”

Another player, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said she hoped a boycott would go beyond just her club, to send a message to Netball Victoria.

“This deters women from wanting to play and we need women to play sport,” she said.

“Everyone has fought so hard to encourage young women to stay in the game.”

Melton Central president Paul Sinclair said both players would compete on Saturday while the club “awaits direction from Netball Victoria”.

The Riddell league said it would continue to work with Netball Victoria to resolve the matter.

A Victorian government spokesman noted that sporting organisations must abide by state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Originally published as One of the state’s leading sporting organisations is probing whether transgender players pose a safety risk to female players