Netball player Manawa Aranui hits back after being banned from Riddell District Netball League

A transgender netballer banned from playing in the women’s competition of a suburban Melbourne league has posted a furious reply — and made an explosive claim against an opposition’s head coach.

A transgender netball player who has been banned from competing in two women’s netball leagues has fired back, slamming her critics as “bigots” and accusing a rival club of hypocrisy.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, Manawa Aranui and another transgender player have been banned from the Riddell District Netball League due to their “superior stamina and physique” over their female opponents.

It comes after Ms Aranui was also deemed ineligible by Ballarat League after she tried to join a women’s team in April.

The decision by the Riddell League comes as Netball Victoria investigates potential safety risks posed by transgender players, and after neighbouring club Melton South threatened to boycott their next game with Melton Central citing safety concerns.

Transgender netball player Manawa Aranui has been banned from playing for women's teams. Picture: Supplied

A video has emerged of a smaller opponent being knocked to the ground. Picture: Supplied

Ms Aranui slammed the league’s decision in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, revealing Melton South had tried to recruit her and that she had been the victim of “online abuse and sideline harassment”.

“I’ve sat quietly long enough while this narrative brewed and I’ve been dragged — publicly and without consent — into a conversation where both my character and identity have been attacked,” she wrote.

“This won’t be a long novel — because frankly, these bigots don’t deserve my time or energy ... Melton South Football Netball Club and your Netball Coordinator/players: you’re entitled to your opinions, but let’s clear some things up.

“Your head coach tried to recruit me to play for your club. Yes — YOUR HEAD COACH TRIED TO RECRUIT ME.”

Ms Aranui shared a screenshot of online messages she said came from a Melton South official which appeared to ask whether she would like to play A-grade next season “depending on the rules”.

“You’ve played six quarters against me — AND we played all season last year alongside each other for Glen Orden — suddenly NOW I’m ‘dangerous’?” she wrote.

“We have two umpires on the court to keep the game safe. If I had done what you claim, wouldn’t I have been warned, penalised, or reprimanded?”

Manawa Aranui while playing for a men’s team. Picture: Instagram

She said she has not received a single caution in any competition, raising doubt over the players claims to be “protecting women’s sport”.

“You’re entitled to believe it’s ‘unfair’ for cis women to compete against transgender women. That’s your opinion. But the lies? They need to stop.

“You’re being malicious, using false narratives to mask your bigotry and personal agendas behind the guise of ‘safeguarding women’s spaces.’”

Both leagues have cited Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act for the bans, which allows sporting bodies to deem transgender players ineligible due to strength, stamina, or physique.

The Riddell League’s decision followed the circulation of a video showing Aranui colliding with a Romsey player, before the female player was knocked to the ground.

Netball Victoria said its team were working “as quickly as possible” to complete its review of the safety and fairness concerns that have been raised.

“We continue to support our LGBTQ+ community and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive netball environment for all participants,” she said.

Melton South Netball co-ordinator Melissa Dawson confirmed on Thursday that the head coach had asked Ms Aranui if she had an interest in playing for Melton South.

However, she told the Herald Sun that the club was “not made aware of our head coach’s conversation with Manawa” until earlier this week.

“There was no formal offer or contract ever offered to Manawa to play at Melton South,” she said.

“This was not raised with the club, and the club stands by its earlier statement that biological men should not be allowed to play in the women’s competition.”

Originally published as Netball player Manawa Aranui hits back after being banned from Riddell District Netball League