Basketball Australia steps in to determine whether transgender player can play in Victorian NBL1 competition

March 17, 2023

Basketball Australia has stepped in on the issue of a transgender person playing in Victoria’s NBL1 South women’s competition, advising that it is convening a panel to determine the matter.

While decisions around who can and can’t play in the competition would normally be reserved for Basketball Victoria, the national governing body has taken over the process on this occasion after several days of heated debate.

In a statement released last today, the governing body advised “Basketball Australia (BA) has convened a panel to assess the application of a transgender athlete who has requested to play in the NBL1 South competition.

“While Basketball Victoria determines the eligibility of athletes who play in their competitions, in the interest of the sport and all athletes, BA’s panel will now assess this application.

The panel will be led by:

Dr Peter Harcourt - BA Chief Medical Officer, Commonwealth Games Medical Advisor
Suzy Batkovic OLY - BA Board Member, three-time Olympian
Associate Professor Diana Robinson - Notre Dame University, Sports and Exercise Physician

“We understand this is a complex and challenging issue and it is our intent to expedite the decision and provide clarity to all athletes and the basketball community. Given the nature of this case, we ask for respectful commentary.”

Confirming rumours, Kilsyth Basketball has advised that the athlete wants to play for the Kilsyth Cobras, with the association supporting the player through the application process, which has included medical and physical testing.

Kilsyth Basketball Chief Executive, Will van Poppel advised that the matter was first raised when the player approached women’s team head coach Hannah Lowe in December before the player was given an opportunity to participate in tryouts ahead of an eligibility assessment.

The player has been able to train with the squad while her eligibility has remained uncertain in recent months, but, according to The Age, is not expected to participate in the team’s pre-season Blitz event in Melbourne this weekend.

However, the player could be available for selection ahead of the team’s season opener against Geelong Supercats on 1st April depending on the results of the Basketball Australia process.

The situation has sparked swirling debate after former NBA star Andrew Bogut voiced his disapproval at the pending decision.

Basketball Australia on Tuesday night released a statement asking for patience and hit out at “hurtful” commentary that has surrounded the situation.

The NBL1 competition is a second tier league considered one grade below the WNBL.

Lower image shows NBA star and Sydney Kings part-owner Andrew Bogut's tweet advising that a “biological man” was set to play in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

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