Transgender basketballer can reapply despite being denied approval to join league

Transgender athlete Lexi Rodgers will be given advice and support by Basketball Australia if she chooses to reapply to join a women’s semi-professional league after her application was denied on Tuesday.

The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Tuesday morning that a three-person panel had determined Rodgers would not be able to play for the Kilsyth Cobras in the WNBL1 South basketball league after a month-long assessment process.

Lexi Rodgers will not be allowed to play with Kilsyth in the WNBL1 competition.Credit: Instagram

Rodgers said on social media that she was saddened by the decision, but says it is not the end of her journey as an athlete. Basketball legend Andrew Gaze backed Basketball Australia’s process, but said he was disappointed for Rodgers.

A statement released by Basketball Australia confirmed the panel’s decision, but did not outline how Rodgers’ application was assessed.

Despite requests, Basketball Australia would not divulge the criteria that formed the basis of the decision.

A Basketball Australia spokesperson said the organisation would not disclose the criteria to respect the privacy of all parties involved.

They added that once a more structured framework about how the eligibility of trans athletes was assessed, more information could be made public.

“The balance of inclusivity, fairness and the competitive nature of sport will always be a complex area to navigate, and we thank those involved who have maintained integrity and respect throughout the process,” the statement read.

Basketball Australia emphasised the eligibility of trans athletes was assessed on a case-by-case basis and said Rodgers would give feedback following her experience.

“While there’s no appeals process for this decision, BA has offered support and advice should Lexi apply again in the future,” the spokesperson said.

It has not been disclosed as to what would need to change in order for Rodgers’ application to be approved if she did reapply.

“To aid us in further developing this framework, key stakeholders from the transgender community will contribute feedback and guidance, including Lexi Rodgers, who will provide advice following her experiences,” the statement read.

Rodgers thanked those who supported her during the application process. She said she was sad about the decision and the impact it could have on the trans and gender diverse community.

“Consistent with the views expressed by so many, I firmly believe I have a place as an athlete in women’s basketball.

“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 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.

“As an athlete, this passion and love for the game motivates me to play to the best of my abilities against the toughest competitors at the highest levels.”

Basketball Australia assembled the three-person panel in March. The panel consisted of Dr Peter Harcourt, BA’s chief medical officer and Commonwealth Games medical adviser; Suzy Batkovic, a BA board member and three-time Olympian; and Associate Professor Diana Robinson, a sports and exercise physician from Notre Dame University.

Batkovic thanked Rodgers for her understanding and patience throughout 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.

“I also want to make it clear because it’s important, that while this particular application was not approved based on criteria for elite (or sub-elite) competition, Basketball Australia encourages and promotes inclusivity at community level where the balance of physical activity, health and wellbeing and social benefits can outweigh the competitive nature of sport.”

Gaze thought application ‘was likely to be approved’

Basketball legend Gaze said:

“I think that it’s obviously disappointing for Lexi, and it’s a tough set of circumstances of course.

“As a general principle I’m very open to having transgender athletes play, but as I’ve always stated, each situation is very nuanced.

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze says he is disappointed for Lexi Rodgers, but trusts Basketball Australia.Credit: Justin McManus

“As a sport that prides ourselves on being inclusive, and based on my understanding of Lexi, my unqualified judgment was that it [the application] was likely to be approved … but I have faith in Basketball Australia and the process that they went through.”

Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins said the commission was engaging with Basketball Australia to understand how the application was assessed. That information will be used to help the ASC expand its guidelines around inclusivity in sport.

“The decision made has come through a rigorous process and is one for Basketball Australia,” Perkins said.

“I’d also like to recognise and support their comments that this decision in no way changes their focus on ensuring an inclusive and safe space for all to be involved in basketball.

“The issue of transgender participation is a complicated one, and it does ultimately come down to individual assessment when you’re talking about elite sport.

“But in a community environment, it should be a safe and inclusive space for all.”

Former NBL1 player Saraid Taylor, who is now within Richmond’s AFLW program, said she was disappointed by the decision.

“I genuinely haven’t spoken to anyone who agrees with the decision,” Taylor said, referring to current and former players within women’s basketball.

”We are all mutually saddened by it.

“It makes a statement that basketball isn’t necessarily a safe space for everyone. And everyone, especially women athletes, should be taking the decision personally.”

‘Underrepresented in community sport’

The Queer Sporting Alliance reposted Rodgers’ statement to its Instagram with a hashtag that read “#letlexiplay”.

Pride Cup CEO Hayley Conway was concerned about the message that Basketball Australia’s decision sends to the broader community.

“It tells trans and gender diverse people that they should not excel at sport, they will be excluded from if they’re too good,” Conway said.

The organisation has partnered with various sporting events and clubs to promote inclusivity, including the Australian Open, Melbourne Victory and St Kilda Football Club.

Michelle McNamara, from Transgender Victoria, did not want to comment on Basketball Australia’s decision without seeing its reasoning, but said transgender participation in community sport needed to be enhanced.

“Trans and gender diverse people are underrepresented in community sport and would benefit greatly from improved physical and mental health and a greater sense of inclusion in the broader community,” McNamara said.

There is no blanket policy for assessing the eligibility of transgender athletes, and while various recommendations are in place - including from the International Olympic Committee - sporting codes make their own judgments.

Other sporting codes, including World Athletics, World Rugby, and FINA (world swimming’s governing body) have effectively banned transgender women from competing under their respective policies.

Rodgers came forward as the applicant last month and spoke about her desire to return to basketball in the podcast Under The Surface with Anneli Maley.

Kilsyth Basketball boss Will van Poppel has previously told Rodgers that regardless of the panel’s decision, she would be welcome to join training sessions with the Cobras for the season.

The application was made public in March following a statement from Basketball Victoria.

Rodgers made an inquiry to join the Kilsyth Cobras women’s team with head coach Hannah Lowe a week before Christmas.

Lowe invited Rodgers to participate in tryouts before an eligibility assessment, as required by Basketball Victoria.

After van Poppel returned from an overseas trip, he met representatives from Basketball Australia and Basketball Victoria to discuss the eligibility process.

In the statement released in March, Basketball Victoria confirmed that Rodgers had submitted to medical and physical testing under the new assessment process introduced for the 2023 season. Rodgers had waited for a process to be introduced so she could apply.

Sources with knowledge of the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated at the time that Rodgers’ application was set to be approved by Basketball Victoria.

Basketball Australia later convened the panel to assess the application following media attention, including scrutiny from former NBA player Andrew Bogut.

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