Netball Australia rejects world governing body’s ban on elite transgender players

The global governing body announced on Monday that, under a new participation and inclusion policy, transgender players were banned from international competition, effective immediately.

WN said national governing bodies could choose to “modify or even not apply these guidelines” if they decided to base participation rules for their competitions on other factors.

A statement from NA said the body was “proud of its leading transgender guidelines for both community and elite netball”.

“These guidelines are based on a commitment to provide welcoming and inclusive environments for all people to play netball,” NA said on Tuesday.

It states that trans and gender diverse people must have a certain level of testosterone measured in their blood over a 24-month period that corresponds to roughly half that of what an average man would have.

Former NA boss Marne Fechner said at the time the policy reflected a commitment to make sure netball was an inclusive place for all people to play.