Transgender athlete Lexi Rodgers has application to play in NBL1 blocked by Basketball Australia

Lexi Rodgers says a decision to block her from Victorian women’s competition won’t stop her pursuing her basketball dreams - but Boomers great Andrew Bogut has other thoughts.

Basketballer Lexi Rodgers. Picture: Instagram

Defiant transgender athlete Lexi Rodgers has hit out at Basketball Australia after it blocked her from playing in a Victorian women’s competition and said it won’t stop her from pursuing her basketball dreams.

Rodgers’ application to play for Kilsyth in NBL1 South sparked heated debate over whether a biological male should be allowed to compete against women.

Basketball Australia stepped in over the top of Basketball Victoria, appointing a panel of experts including its chief medical officer Dr Peter Harcourt, triple-Olympian and board member Suzy Batkovic and Notre Dame University sports and exercise physician Associate Professor Diana Robinson, which ruled her ineligible.

Rodgers confirmed she would not play in NBL1 but would still pursue a role in women’s basketball in the future.

“I sought a different outcome from Basketball Australia. I participated fully and in good faith with the process and eligibility criteria. Consistent with the views expressed by so many, I firmly believe I have a place as an athlete in women’s basketball,” she wrote on Instagram.

Basketballer Lexi Rodgers. Picture: Instagram

“I hope Basketball Australia understands that this is not the end of my journey as an athlete and that it must not miss future opportunities to demonstrate its values. I am sad about the potential message this decision sends to trans and gender diverse people everywhere. I hope that one day basketball’s governing body can replicate the inclusion and acceptance I have found on the court with my teammates.

“I hope to one day be playing elite women’s basketball in the future and will continue to work on making the sport I love a place for all.”

BA assesses applications from transgender athletes for elite competitions on a “case-by-case” basis and Batkovic said Rodgers had co-operated through the process.

“While Lexi is understandably disappointed with the outcome, I know she’ll continue to support her NBL1 South team throughout the season and be an active member of the basketball community,” Batkovic said.

“As we continue to develop our own framework for sub-elite and elite competitions, we understand the need to have a clear process and continual education within all layers of the sport so we can best support players, coaches, clubs, associations and the wider basketball community.

“I also want to make it clear because it’s important, that while this particular application was not approved based on criteria for elite competition, Basketball Australia encourages and promotes inclusivity at community level.”

Rodgers’ made the decision to transition during Covid, when she found out her mother had been diagnosed with a terminal illness as she dealt with a relationship breakdown.

Former Boomer Andrew Bogut opposed Rodgers’ plan to play in the women’s league.

Right decision by @BasketballAus

In saying that, it is beyond alarming we live in a time where an “expert panel” is needed to make these decisions.

Don’t let the activists try and over complicate what is simple: Women's sports are for Women. https://t.co/Q2OBaILWGx

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) April 18, 2023

Rodgers will provide BA with feedback in a bid to help it manage future cases.

BA would not disclose the grounds of the decision to block Rodgers’ from playing for privacy reasons.

“As the governing body, we acknowledge we’re still on a path of education and understanding,” a BA spokesperson said.

“Once a more structured framework about how the eligibility of trans athletes is assessed, more information could be disclosed.”

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.

Statement from Lexi Rodgers.