Two transgender netball players banned from playing in Riddell District Netball Football League
Two transgender netball players have been banned from competing in a major community Melbourne netball league, the decision coming after a video emerged of a smaller female opponent being knocked over at a weekend match.
Victoria
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Two transgender players have been banned from competing in a major community netball league due to their “superior stamina and physique” over their female opponents.
It comes after a video emerged of transgender player Manawa Aranui knocking her female opponent to the ground, and after the Herald Sun revealed Ms Aranui and another player — who were both born male — had been competing for Melton Central in the Riddell District Netball Football League.
The league has now officially declared the two players ineligible for its women’s netball league for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The revelation, which comes amid ongoing investigations by Netball Victoria into potential safety risks associated with gender-diverse players, was posted on the league’s website on Wednesday.
The statement said RDFNL chief executive Jordan Doyle had written to every club advising the outcome following a slew of complaints.
“After lengthy consideration and consultation, the RDFNL has ruled that the two transgender participants be excluded from the RDFNL Netball Competitions for the remainder of the 2025 season on the premise that both participants exhibit superior, stamina and physique over their competitors deeming Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act relevant,” it said.
The statement noted that under Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act gender diverse players can be excluded from women's competitions due to “ strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant’’.
“The board, who are voted in as elected officials on behalf of the member clubs, wants to reiterate to all RDFNL clubs that the RDFNL board has a responsibility to act in the best interests of all our member clubs and participants to provide a safe and inclusive environment for them to participate in the sport of their choice,” it continues.
“The RDFNL board reserves the right to reconsider these options at a future date should circumstances change.”
The ruling comes after Ms Aranui was also deemed ineligible by the Ballarat Football Netball League in April due to concerns over the safety of female players.
As revealed by the Saturday Herald Sun, Melton South players had also threatened to boycott their next match with Melton Central, with some saying they “do not feel safe playing on biological males”.
Melton South netball co-ordinator Melissa Dawson on Wednesday said she was thrilled with the outcome.
“We thank the league for putting the safety of female players first,” she said.
A Netball Victoria spokesperson said it was aware of the Riddell league’s decision, and was hoping to complete its investigations as soon as possible.
“Netball Victoria is working as quickly as possible to complete its review of the safety and fairness concerns that have been raised, taking into account the need to ensure that the review is thorough and considered,” she said.
“We continue to support our LGBTQ+ community and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive netball environment for all participants.”
Originally published as Two transgender netball players banned from playing in Riddell District Netball Football League
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