The Australian Football League (AFL) has ruled a transgender woman cannot participate in its 2018 women's (AFLW) competition, handing down its decision the day before the draft.
Hannah Mouncey, who plays ruck for Ainslie in the Canberra women's competition, sought to become the first transgender player in the AFLW. But on Tuesday the AFL said she was ruled out, at least for the 2018 season.
In a statement provided to BuzzFeed News, the AFL said a subcommittee had considered information from Mouncey, including data on strength, stamina and physique of transgender athletes, and the nature of the AFLW, in making its decision.
"The subcommittee’s decision took into account the stage of maturity of the AFLW competition, its current player cohort and Ms Mouncey’s individual circumstances," the statement read.
This year will be the second season of the AFLW.
The AFL used Victoria's guidelines on trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport, penned by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. The AFL does not currently have a policy on transgender athletes.
The guidelines state that under the Equal Opportunity Act you can lawfully discriminate against someone on the basis of their sex or gender identity if strength, stamina or physique is relevant.
Good luck to all the girls who nominated for the AFLW draft tomorrow, especially my mates from Canberra. I can’t wa… https://t.co/Ins0V0Hk5L
In a statement to The Age following the AFL's decision, Mouncey, who transitioned two years ago, said she was "disappointed" but accepted the AFL's decision and thanked them for the "genuine way in which they approached" her situation.
In its statement, the AFL clarified that the decision was solely in relation to the 2018 draft, and did not affect Mouncey's ability to nominate for future drafts.
Mouncey continued: "Despite not being able to take part in the draft, I note that while I am not able to compete in the AFLW...the AFL has given me the all clear to play for Ainslie next year in the AFL Canberra competition for which I am very grateful and look forward to doing in 2018, before hopefully being able to nominate for next year's draft."
"I will be making no further comment at this time."
The AFL general manager of inclusion and social policy, Tanya Hosch, said the process around Mouncey's nomination would "substantially inform the development of the AFL's transgender policy".
"Hannah’s passion for football is undeniable, and I want to thank her and her team for their constructive participation in the decision-making process," she said.
"The AFL has made very strong commitments to equality and inclusion at all levels of the game. We recognise that participating in sport has physical, psychological and social benefits and we are committed to making Australian football on every level welcoming to all in our community."
The general manager of the AFL Player's Association, Brett Murphy, said Mouncey should not have been faced with confusion around her eligibility.
"Whilst Hannah was provided with the opportunity to discuss her application with the AFL, the AFLPA believes there should have been clear guidelines available for transgender players wishing to enter the AFLW draft this year," he said.
"We will continue to support her from both legal and wellbeing perspectives."