Michele Timms joins a host of current players by backing transgender athlete set to play in the NBL1

The transgender debate in women’s sport has been reignited after Basketball Victoria confirmed a trans player was in the final stages of approval to play in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

Opals great Michele Timms has joined a host of current players by throwing her support behind a transgender athlete set to play in the NBL1 South women’s competition this season.

It comes as Basketball Australia currently has no elite guidelines for transgender athletes, meaning the WNBL wouldn’t be prepared if a trans player applied to play in the women’s national league.

BA has community guidelines for transgender athletes, however there is yet to be a precedent to implement guidelines at a senior level.

News Corp understands Basketball Australia would implement elite guidelines for transgender athletes should a player apply – and any application would be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Basketball legend Michele Timms.

The divisive transgender debate in women’s sport has been reignited after Basketball Victoria confirmed a trans athlete was in the final stages of approval to represent the Kilsyth Cobras.

Basketball Victoria poised to approve NBL1 transgender application.https://t.co/fbMvMS6Ld6

— CodeSports (@codesportsau) March 13, 2023

The impending decision has created heated debate and concerns from former players, parents and opponents.

Timms, though, says she has no issues with a transgender athlete playing in the women’s NBL1.

“I’d have no problem at all with it,” said Timms, a three-time Olympian and Hall of Famer.

“This person has already been through enough in making this decision and for this to blow up the way it has, I feel a lot of empathy for the person.

“It’s sad.”

Marena Whittle has had her say.

Adelaide Lightning star and 2022 NBL1 South MVP Marena Whittle questioned those criticising the transgender player.

“Everyone putting in their two cents better be this loud when it comes to equal pay and marketing visibility,” Whittle said.

“Talking about “protecting” women’s sports? You better have a NBL1 and WNBL membership and go to every game.”

The contentious transgender issue was sparked on Monday when basketball great Andrew Bogut posted a tweet revealing a “biological man” would be playing in the NBL1 South this season.

Bogut followed up his original tweet with an Instagram video on Tuesday, outlining his reasons for making the details about the trans player public.

“I put it out because the league and clubs hadn’t been transparent and not only let people within the league know, but members of that club didn’t know and members of other teams didn’t know,” Bogut said.

“So, the fact I’ve put it out and it has caused a shit storm today proves that they are, shit, someone has spoken about it and I’m not afraid to speak about it.

“I think it needs to be discussed.”

This really highlights the lack of understanding of trans rights.

People went at me in the WNBL season about creating safe spaces for ✨all people✨ in basketball stadiums.

This is why Pride Rounds can’t just be for one game, this is when we do the work and act, people

— Marena Whittle (@marenawhittle) March 13, 2023

Bogut also said the transgender athlete recently played a warm-up game for Kilsyth without the knowledge of the other team.

“This athlete in question has already played a game from what I understand,” he said.

Andrew Bogut isn’t in support of transgender athletes in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

“A friendly game against a team that had no idea that it was going forward.

“They asked some questions after the game and the game still went ahead.

“There was a zoom call organised last week where the coaches were asked about it and were asked if they had an opinion.

“None of them did in fear of losing their jobs.”

Bogut stressed he has no problem with transgender people, but has an issue that “you feel you need to infiltrate female and women’s sports”.

The NBA champion’s strong stance on transgender athletes attracted a mixed response online.

For the media reaching out wanting my further comment:

Here is a non clickbaited and misquoted version.

👍👍👍https://t.co/FSscJSXvtBhttps://t.co/5lskUYp935

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) March 14, 2023

Opals and Bendigo Spirit forward Anneli Maley took to social media to call out Bogut.

Maley also invited the retired Boomers big man to talk about the transgender issue on her podcast, Under the Surface.

“@andrewbogut officially inviting you to have the discussion on a podcast or public forum so I can educate you on the differences between a man wanting to dress as a woman to play sport and a transgender female who has gone through medical testing and clearance to be able to live as the woman that she is,” Maley said.

Bogut responded to Maley’s Instagram video with laughing faces saying: “I can educate you? The word you are looking for is indoctrinate.”

Basketball Australia released a strong statement on Tuesday, condemning distressing commentary around the looming inclusion of a transgender athlete in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

“It’s been disappointing to see the negative commentary and hurtful language used across social media over the past 24 hours since it was made public that Basketball Victoria had received an application for a transgender athlete to play in the NBL1 South competition,” the statement read.

“Basketball Australia prides itself on being a sport for all, ensuring all participants experience a welcoming, fair and inclusive environment.

“We ask for patience and understanding as we support Basketball Victoria in navigating through this complex space with integrity and respect for all involved, and also thank those in the community who have shown sensitivities at this time.”