Wingham transgender soccer player Stephanie Blanch applies for AVO in Taree court

After being labelled a ‘bloke in a frock’ a transgender soccer player from a small town on the Mid-North Coast took a high-profile ‘Binary’ campaigner to court.

Taree Courthouse.

A transgender soccer player from a small town on the Mid-North Coast has failed in her bid to have a court order taken out against high-profile ‘Binary’ campaigner Kirralie Smith.

Although Taree magistrate Allison Hawkins found that Stephanie Blanch would have felt “harassed, isolated and targeted” by Ms Smith’s social media posts over a one-month period last year, she ultimately declined to grant the Apprehended Personal Violence Order.

“They don’t reach the level of harassment that is appropriate for the court to intervene,” Ms Hawkins said.

Ms Smith is a spokeswoman for Binary which aims to “promote and honour the inherent differences between boys and girls, men and women”.

The 18 posts published included photos of Ms Blanch and terms such a ‘bloke in a frock’, the court heard.

The posts were shared on various platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and organisations including Football Australia were tagged in, it was heard in court.

Kirralie Smith is a spokesperson for the organisation Binary.

Ms Blanch plays for a senior women’s team with the Wingham Warriors Football club and has never put her hand up as an advocate for other transgender people it was heard in court.

Both parties had been called on to give evidence leading up to the Magistrate’s decision which was handed down in Taree Local Court on Wednesday.

Ms Blanch was “quietly spoken and sincere” during her evidence and Ms Smith was straightforward about her ideological opposition to transgender women and their involvement in sport, it was heard.

Ms Hawkins also told the court that Ms Smith’s son plays for the same small soccer club.

Transgender woman Stephanie Blanch plays in a senior women's team with the Wingham Warriors. Picture: Facebook.

Ms Smith is a spokesperson for an organisation known as Binary and featured a case study on Ms Blanch in an article on the organisation’s website it was heard in court.

“As the spokeswoman I am a voice for many Australians who feel their voice and rights are being undermined by gender identity ideology,” she said after the verdict was handed down.

“I am very relieved and pleased that the application for an APVO against me has been denied.

“I will continue my political advocacy for women’s sex-based rights in sport, services and spaces.”

During her decision Ms Hawkins noted Ms Smith had not ruled out making further posts about Ms Blanch but for the past 12 months the posts had “all ceased and there is no evidence of it continuing”.

The Wingham Football Club has been contacted for comment.