New Hampshire Girls Soccer Team Boycotts Game

The girls' soccer team at Bishop Brady High School in Concord, New Hampshire, boycotted a scheduled match against Kearsarge Regional High School, which features a transgender goalkeeper, Maëlle Jacques, who is a biological male. The Bishop Brady athletes argued that this gave Kearsarge an unfair advantage, leading to their decision to forfeit the game. Despite New Hampshire's state law prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports, Jacques was allowed to play following a federal court's injunction that blocked the enforcement of the law pending a lawsuit. This situation has sparked controversy, with former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines praising the Bishop Brady team's stance as part of a broader movement against transgender inclusion in women's sports. The legal landscape remains complex, as the court's decision permits Jacques and others to compete while the legality of the state ban is contested. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in sports regarding gender identity and fairness in competition.