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An Australian amateur soccer team has been controversially accused of winning a women-only tournament and winning $1,000 in prize money, with the team including five transgender women.
Sydney-based Flying Bats FC went unbeaten during the four-week tournament, including a 10-0 win in which a transgender woman scored six goals, The Daily Telegraph reported. reported.
Officials from other football clubs in the North West Sydney League told the newspaper that some parents had pulled their daughters from matches due to safety concerns.
They believe the Flying Bats, who are backed by Pride Football Australia, should instead play in a mixed game.
“Our girls are here to have fun and expect to play in the women's competition. They did not sign up for the mixed competition,” said one club executive.
“Some parents were worried about not letting their daughters play,” the official continued.
“They were very disappointed when they saw the huge difference in ability. They were killing it.”
Kirarie Smith, a spokeswoman for Binary Australia, an advocacy group that argues there are only two genders, told the Daily Telegraph the league was putting players at risk. She claimed that some girls were told not to complain or abandon the protests for fear of repercussions.
Flying Bats Football Club president Jen Peden defended the club's tournament win, saying the team represents inclusion and said: “Trans women are participating in women's competitions because trans women This is because they identify with that gender.”
“As a club, Flying Bats FC strongly supports inclusion and is committed to safe, respectful and fair play, promoting a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and supporting the physical, social and mental health of LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters. Participation in sports particularly benefits marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We value cisgender and transgender athletes equally. It’s a club,” Peden said.
“We strongly support the Australian Human Rights Commission's guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport,” he said, noting that the club has had transgender players for 20 years. added.
A Football NSW spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph that the league is “proud to be at the forefront of comprehensive policy development for the sport in Australia and is committed to ensuring that existing legislation, including anti-discrimination legislation, We are working within a framework.”
