A suburban netball standoff has exploded into a major sporting controversy, with a Victorian club threatening to boycott matches over the inclusion of transgender players.
Melton South Netball Club, part of the Riddell District Football Netball League, has declared its players ‘do not feel safe’ taking the court against Melton Central, which fields two transgender women, including former elite men’s player Manawa Aranui.
Netball Victoria has confirmed it is investigating the issue, engaging an independent expert to assess safety concerns raised by multiple players and clubs.
The review follows mounting complaints about the physicality of some transgender players, with claims that their size and strength create an uneven and potentially dangerous playing field.
Manawa Aranui, who previously played high level men’s netball, transitioned and began playing in women’s competitions, sparking safety and fairness concerns across several leagues.
In April, the Ballarat Football Netball League deemed Aranui ineligible for their women’s competition after obtaining legal advice citing the Sex Discrimination Act.
A suburban Melbourne netball team has expressed concerns about safety after a rival team signed two transgender players – including Manawa Aranui (pictured)
Netball Victoria has launched a formal review after clubs raised alarm over the inclusion of transgender athletes
That act allows exclusion where ‘strength, stamina or physique’ are relevant to competition.
Despite this, Aranui continues to play for Melton Central, where she was recently named best on court in a Division 1 grand final.
Melton Central president Paul Sinclair confirmed both transgender players will take the court this weekend while the club awaits formal direction from Netball Victoria.
Melton South’s netball coordinator Melissa Dawson told News Corp she would support her players if they chose to forfeit games over safety concerns.
‘One of the players is six foot something – it’s ridiculous,’ she said. ‘Netball Victoria needs to put the safety of biological females first.’
B Grade player Erin described her discomfort facing the transgender athletes. ‘I went up for the ball and just got pushed and dropped,’ she said.
‘They’re so much stronger, and I’m genuinely scared I’ll get hurt.’
Aranui played high-level men’s netball before transitioning and was barred from playing in the Ballarat Football Netball League
Erin said she would sit out any future games against Melton Central if the players remain in the lineup.
Another Melton South player said a boycott might be the only way to send a clear message.
‘It deters women from playing the sport they love,’ she said. ‘We’ve worked hard to keep girls in the game.’
The league confirmed it is working with Netball Victoria to resolve the matter, while legal pressure mounts on both sides.
Several leagues have reportedly engaged lawyers after being warned they could breach anti-discrimination laws by blocking transgender participation.
Netball Victoria said it remains committed to inclusion and is following its gender diversity policy developed in consultation with Proud 2 Play and based on national sport inclusion guidelines.
‘We support and welcome netballers of all backgrounds,’ a spokesperson said.
‘That includes gender diverse players who have rights under anti-discrimination laws.’
Netball Victoria’s 2018 bylaw change allows non-binary and transgender players to register and play in female competitions based on self-identified gender, not legal sex.
Non-binary netball player David Capron has competed in both men’s and women’s competitions
Capron also sparked controversy for playing against women, after previously representing his state in the men’s competition
That rule opened the door for players like David Capron, a national men’s player who competed in both men’s and women’s leagues.
Capron, who uses he/him and they/them pronouns, said his goal was to be a ‘beacon of hope’ for queer youth in community sport.
‘Biological gender has nothing to do with ability,’ he said.
Capron has since stepped away from the Victorian league but intends to play in Western Australia after relocating.
However, backlash from female players remains intense.
One coach described Capron’s presence on court as ‘ridiculous,’ while a player said it was like ‘running into a brick wall’.
Others claimed the situation was ‘taking the p***’ and made a ‘mockery’ of both women’s sport and non-binary inclusion.
Despite these strong views, Netball Victoria has doubled down on its policy, pointing to state and federal laws that protect gender identity and expression.
However, these same laws contain exceptions – and some leagues are now using those to argue for excluding transgender athletes on the basis of safety.
World Netball recently banned transgender players from international competition, rendering any transgender athletes ineligible for selection in the Australian Diamonds squad.
Still, Netball Australia has not adopted the same stance and continues to support its inclusive gender participation policy.
There are currently no transgender players in Super Netball, the sport’s top-level competition.
The Victorian government declined to comment directly but said all sporting bodies must comply with anti-discrimination law.
Netball Victoria insists it is committed to finding a resolution that is lawful, inclusive, and safe.
