- Matildas star was instrumental in win that secured finals berth
A women’s football club at the centre of Australia’s transgender sport debate were part of a guard of honour for Matildas striker Michelle Heyman during her 200th A-League Women appearance on Sunday.
Members of Sydney-based Flying Bats Football Club, which describes itself as the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world, were involved in pre-match and halftime activities during Canberra United’s 1–0 win over Wellington Phoenix Women at McKellar Park.
The match marked Heyman’s 200th appearance in the A-League Women and secured Canberra United a finals berth for the first time since the 2020–21 season.
The Flying Bats have drawn national attention in recent years after their Women’s Premier League side went undefeated in 2024 while fielding multiple transgender players.
Several opposing teams forfeited fixtures rather than play against them, prompting public debate over fairness and eligibility rules in women’s sport.
Paralympian Tamsin Colley, who has previously earned a callup to the ParaMatildas squad, was also involved in the guard of honour.
Canberra and Matildas star Michelle Heyman poses with supporters after her 200th match
Heyman poses for a photo with The Flying Bats, a Sydney-based club centred around inclusivity
A Flying Bats member poses with Heyman after her milestone match, after the club also formed part of the guard of honour
She posted about the event on Instagram, writing: ‘Got to meet the fabulous Michelle Heyman today after an exciting game of football and volunteering to be part of the guard of honour with The Flying Bats.’
‘Thanks for the invite,’ she added.
Colley also said she had been ‘asked to sign some shirts for the Pinks and other players involved in the halftime activation.’
The post was later shared by the Flying Bats on Instagram.
Heyman, 36, was given a guard of honour before kick-off and received a standing ovation from the 1,873-strong crowd when she was substituted late in the match.
‘Best day ever. That’s all I can say,’ Heyman said after the game.
‘200 is something, but all I really wanted was the three points,’ she added.
‘It’s never easy, but I’m just really proud of the girls to get the three points and make finals.’
The Flying Bats have defended their participation policies as compliant with grassroots inclusion guidelines.
Club president Jennifer Peden previously said: ‘Trans women belong in the women’s competition because that is the gender with which they identify.’
Football NSW has stated that community competitions align with national anti-discrimination laws, which allow transgender athletes to compete in the category with which they identify.
Canberra United will play Western Sydney Wanderers Women in their final regular-season match before the finals.
