Two transgender netball players from Melton Central have been banned from competing in Victoria's Riddell District Netball Football League (RDFNL) for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The RDFNL cited Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act, which allows exclusion based on “strength, stamina or physique” if relevant to the sport, Idman.biz reports.
The decision follows the release of a video showing one player, Manawa Aranui, legally colliding with an opponent during a match.
Multiple clubs, including Melton South, had raised safety concerns, with threats to boycott matches involving Melton Central. Netball Victoria has launched an independent review into the matter after receiving complaints from players and teams.
Aranui, a former elite men’s netball player, previously faced similar rulings, including a ban from the Ballarat Football Netball League in April.
Netball Victoria stated it remains committed to inclusion and will follow its gender diversity policy, developed in line with national guidelines. The policy allows transgender and non-binary players to compete based on self-identified gender.
The case has reignited debates on inclusion versus safety and fairness in community sports.
Idman.biz
