Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey is reserving her right to take legal action against the AFL
TRANSGENDER footballer Hannah Mouncey is still reserving her right to take legal action against the AFL after it finally released its policy into transgender players.
AFLW
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TRANSGENDER female Hannah Mouncey is still reserving her right to take legal action against the AFL after it finally released its policy into transgender players.
The new policy gives the league total discretion to include or exclude transgender players in its AFLW competition after it shunned Mouncey for this year’s competition based on her strength and stature.
As revealed by the Herald Sun this month, the new policy means applicants must submit to a range of tests for weight, height, bench press, squat, vertical jump, 20m sprint time and 2km run.
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Applicants also need to provide proof they have been under the AFL’s limit for testosterone for two years – which is 5 nanomole/litre.
Mouncey, who finished second in the VFLW goalkicking for Darebin behind Carlton star Darcy Vescio, said she would comfortably fit under the testosterone thresholds.
She also believes she would be within the range of fitness and strength parameters and would give no reason for the AFL to deny her application.
But Darebin’s Mouncey, who has AFLW suitors ahead of October’s draft, believes the testing about weight is a dangerous path for the AFL to go down given what it represents for female body image.
She said many transgender people were on medication which meant they might weigh more, believing that clause had a negative impact on body image and might even encourage some applicants to stop taking that medication.
She has been advised she has a case to challenge the AFL’s ruling — mostly likely at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal — but could also decide to submit to the AFL’s testing.
The policy, titled Gender Diversity Policy - AFLW and AFL, states: “The AFL sub committee may refuse an application only if there is a relevant and significant disparity in the applicant’s strength, stamina or physique when compared to data procured from cis-gender AFLW players in the preceding two AFL seasons.”
Mouncey said she wanted to play AFLW next season.
“I will take advice now from my lawyers on what is the best path to go down,” she said.
“I haven’t wanted to take legal action at any stage but the fact I haven’t really spoken to the AFL since January or February means I didn’t think I had any other meaningful option.
“As far as the testing and testosterone levels go, I have no doubts I would fit well within everything they are asking.
“The real issue I have is with the weight parameters. Who is to say being heavy is an advantage in a sport where being aerobically elite is such an important part of the game.
“The message that sends is a really dangerous one. Medications can cause people to put on weight so if you need to fall into a certain weight range people might go off that medication.
“It’s a really unhealthy message to send. The message should be we don’t care what size you are if you are active and healthy. There are already enough issues with young girls and eating disorders and issues the trans community around body image.”
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