Basketball Australia convenes panel to assess application by trans athlete to play in NBL1 competition

Following an application by a transgender athlete to play in the NBL1 competition, Basketball Australia has stepped in to assess the application.

Basketball Australia has stepped in after an application by a transgender athlete to play in Victoria’s NBL1 South women’s competition emerged.

BA has convened a panel to assess the application by the athlete to play for Kilsyth, a decision that would normally be made by Basketball Victoria.

“While Basketball Victoria determines the eligibility of athletes who play in their competitions, in the interest of the sport and all athletes, BA’s panel will now assess this application,” a BA spokesperson said in a statement.

“We understand this is a complex and challenging issue and it is our intent to expedite the decision and provide clarity to all athletes involved. Given the nature of this case, we ask for respectful commentary.”

The panel includes:

Dr Peter Harcourt – BA Chief Medical Officer, Commonwealth Games Medical Advisor

Suzy Batkovic OLY – BA Board Member, three-time Olympian

Associate Professor Diana Robinson – Notre Dame University, Sports and Exercise Physician.

The application has divided opinions, former Olympian Andrew Bogut most-vocal in opposition.

“Word is @NBL1 South Women will have a biological Male playing this upcoming season,’’ he tweeted.

“Are you OK with sacrificing the sanctity of Female Sport in the name of “inclusion”?

Word is @NBL1 South Women will have a biological Male playing this upcoming season.

Are you ok with sacrificing the sanctity of Female Sport in the name of “inclusion”? #GirlDads where are you?

The hashtag is trendy until action is needed.

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) March 12, 2023

Bogut has since revealed details of a private meeting between players and officials where Basketball Victoria allegedly admitted the player had played in a recent trial match.

A host of WNBL players, including 2022 MVP Anneli Maley, Perth young gun Chloe Bibby and Adelaide Lightning’s Mareena Whittle hit back at Bogut and defended the athlete’s right to play.

The trans issue is one of the most divisive topics in world sport, with debates raging around the world as all sporting codes grapple with finding a balance between inclusivity and fairness.

One of the world’s most famous transgender women, Caitlyn Jenner, proudly supports the right for women’s sport to remain exclusively for biologically born women recently tweeting in response to a US track and field transgender issue.

“Protect womens sports! This person should not be competing with young women / girls. This is beyond unfair!” Jenner wrote.