Two Transgender Netball Players Banned in Australia Over Safety Concerns

Two transgender netball players from Melton Central, including Manawa Aranui who previously competed in elite men's netball, have been banned for the remainder of the 2025 season by Australia's Riddell District Football Netball League. This decision followed video footage showing Aranui knocking a female opponent to the ground during a match, which sparked safety concerns and threats of boycott from rival teams such as Melton South Netball Club. The league cited the players' "superior stamina and physique" as grounds for exclusion under Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act, which permits banning players if their physical advantages risk unfair competition or safety. Netball Victoria is investigating the matter by consulting an independent expert, while Aranui had already been banned from other leagues on similar grounds. The controversy has intensified debate about transgender participation in women's sports, with Melton South's coordinator emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety of biological females. This case contrasts with policies in the UK, where transgender women are banned from female categories following a Supreme Court ruling.