An Australian amateur soccer team has sparked controversy by dominating a women-only tournament, boasting five transgender women among its ranks, and claiming the $1,000 prize, as reported.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Sydney-based Flying Bats FC remained undefeated throughout the four-week tournament, with one game witnessing a transgender player scoring six goals in a decisive 10-0 victory.
Reportedly, some parents withdrew their daughters from matches due to safety concerns, according to officials from other soccer clubs in the North West Sydney League.
Certain officials argue that the Flying Bats, supported by Pride Football Australia, should compete in mixed-gender games that include both men and women.
“Our girls joined to play in the female competition for fun; they did not anticipate a mixed competition,” stated one senior club official.
“Some parents were so worried that they prohibited their daughters from playing,” the official added. “Witnessing the significant difference in skill level was disheartening for them – the opposition was overwhelmed.”
Kirralie Smith, a spokesperson for Binary Australia, an advocacy group advocating for the binary gender model, expressed concern to The Daily Telegraph, claiming that the league is jeopardizing the safety of players.
She claimed that some girls were told not to complain or forfeit in protest for fear of repercussions.
The Flying Bats Football Club president Jen Peden defended the club’s tournament victory and said the team stands for inclusion and “trans women belong in the women’s competition because that is the gender with which they identify”.
“As a club, the Flying Bats FC stand strongly for inclusion, and pride ourselves on safe, respectful and fair play, the promotion of a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits that participation in sport brings, especially to marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a club that values our cisgender and transgender players equally,” Peden said.
“We strongly support the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport,” she added, noting there have been transgender players in the club for 20 years.
A spokesman for Football NSW told The Daily Telegraph the league takes “pride in being at the forefront of developing inclusive policies for the sport in Australia and operates within the existing legal framework, including antidiscrimination legislation.”