Gender war erupts as non-binary netball player David Capron competes in men, women games

Frustrated suburban netballers are calling for a non-binary player to choose a division after learning they have been competing in both men’s and women’s teams.

Victorian non-binary netball player David Capron, who identifies as he/him and /they/them, has been playing in the EFNL and SFNL women’s leagues. Picture: Instagram

A gender war has erupted in suburban netball with fury over a non-binary player competing in both men’s and women’s matches while a separate league raises questions over a high-level transgender player.

The Herald Sun can reveal David Capron, who goes by he/him and they/them pronouns, has been competing at an elite level in men’s netball, while also playing in Victorian women’s netball leagues for the past two seasons.

Separately, the Riddell District Football Netball League in Melbourne’s north has held an urgent meeting with Netball Victoria after transgender player, Manawa Aranui, applied to join the league.

Despite meeting with several representatives, league officials say they feel they need more information about Ms Aranui’s biological and playing history.

Mr Capron, a national mens championship player, told the Herald Sun he wanted to be a “beacon of hope” for young queer kids who have “little to no representation” in community sport.

(L) David Capron, who identifies as he/him and /they/them, is being urged to play in one division only. Picture: Instagram

The non-binary player has been playing in the EFNL and SFNL women’s leagues for the past two years. Picture: Instagram

Netball Victoria bylaws were changed in 2018 to allow non-binary players, like Mr Capron, to “elect which team they consider more appropriate to join” irrespective of the Player’s “legal sex classification”.

The change made Mr Capron eligible to compete in a women’s teams in the Eastern Football Netball League and Southern Football Netball League without identifying as a woman.

But furious female players and a coach have told the Herald Sun Mr Capron’s presence on the all-women’s netball court was “dangerous”, with some feeling he was taking away opportunities from women.

The coach, whose team has played against Mr Capron, said allowing him to compete against biological women was “ridiculous” and “a joke”.

She said “so many clubs were fuming because he was taking the piss” and that complaints had been made to the league, but that officials pointed to the Netball Victoria rules.

“I told my girls, as others did, that I was comfortable for them to not take the court due to the physically dangerous and unfair situation,” she said.

Victorian transgender netball player Manawa Aranui, who previously played high-level mens netball, plays for Glen Orden in the women's league. Picture: Instagram

Manawa Aranui won best on when her team won the premiership in 2024. Picture: Instagram

“It makes a mockery of so many things including the non-binary space.”

A player, who said Mr Capron had trialled at her club, said “many women felt threatened and upset that their spot would be taken by someone who had played at a very high level in a men’s league”.

Another woman, who has played against Mr Capron, said clashing with him on the court was like “running up against a brick wall” and that her teammates had “absolutely no chance against him”.

Mr Capron defended his registration in the women’s leagues and denied that he had an unfair physical advantage.

“Biological gender has nothing to do with an athlete’s ability, put the work in and you’ll see the results,” he said, adding that women had “absolutely schooled me on the court”.

Mr Capron is not playing for any Victorian club this season but is hoping to join a women's league when he moves to Perth this year.

Netball Victoria is facing further angst over Ms Aranui’s bid to join the Riddell District league. Picture: Instagram

Netball Victoria is facing further angst over Ms Aranui’s bid to join the Riddell District league after she last year played for the the Glen Orden women's premiership-winning team in the Western Football Netball League.

A Riddell District league spokesman, however, said they wanted more information ahead of her first game for the Melton Centrals this weekend.

“Netball Victoria has not responded with the required information despite follow up requests at this stage,” he said.

The Herald Sun contacted the Melton Centrals for comment.

A Netball Victoria spokesman said the organisation “supports an inclusive and welcoming environment” including welcoming “trans and gender diverse athletes”.

She could not reveal whether there had been any complaints.

“Where there is concern about safety or fairness, Netball Victoria will work to find an appropriate course of action in the interests of all parties,” she said.

Originally published as Gender war erupts as non-binary netball player David Capron competes in men, women games