The AFLW Blew Its Chance To Welcome Trans Players

This week, the AFLW set out to make a ruling over whether transgender player Hannah Mouncey was eligible for the 2018 draft. If accepted, Hannah—who previously played in in the ACT women's AFL competition—would become the first transgender athlete to play elite football in Australia. The AFL's decision stood to be a historic ruling for the sport, and a massive step forward for transgender athletes around the country. Previously, trans sports men and women around the world have struggled to find acceptance and space in professional sport.

But despite the community's optimism, Hannah has sadly been ruled ineligible for today's draft. In a statement, the AFL said: "The subcommittee carefully considered all of the information provided by Hannah, as well as the available data on transgender strength, stamina, physique along with the specific nature of the AFLW competition." They added that the maturity of the AFLW competition, its current player base and Mouncey's individual circumstances were taken into consideration of their decision.

According to AFL.com.au, their process saw them consult with Mouncey, her management, the AFL Players' Association, the Australian Sports Commission and Pride in Sport. They also stated they complied to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission's guidelines relating to trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport. The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act states that athletes can be discriminated against based on their sex "if strength, stamina or physique is relevant". At 190 cm tall and 100-kilos, much of the debate has focused on Hannah's physicality. Although her testosterone limits were shown to be well within permitted levels.

The AFL's general manager of inclusion and social policy, Tanya Hosch, has thanked Hannah for her understanding on the issue. In a statement she said: "We acknowledge Hannah's openness and co-operation. She has contributed to a process which will substantially inform the development of the AFL's transgender policy and procedure for future players at the elite level."

While there is little doubt that Hannah's experience has brought attention to the possible future of transgender AFL players, many feel she wasn't given sufficient support in the process. The AFL Players Association questioned the timing of the decision. In a statement their general manager said clear guidelines for trans players should have been made available: "No athlete should face such confusion around their eligibility for an elite competition just days out from a draft."

While the ruling is a huge blow to not only Hannah, but all transgender players, the the league has stressed that the ruling only refers to the 2018 draft and the 2018 AFLW competition. Hosch's statement that "Every case will be decided on its own merits along with the individual circumstances of each future nominee," also suggests it isn't a blanket decision for all trans players. Mouncey may also be nominated for next year's draft and be registered in other Australian football competitions.

In a statement responding to all this, Hannah wrote: "While I am extremely disappointed with the AFL's decision regarding my participation in tomorrow's [Wednesday's] AFLW draft, I thank them for the genuine way in which they approached my situation."

But not everyone is as gracious. Even before the announcement, there were murmurs that her disclusion could have legal ramifications. On Tuesday Melbourne-based lawyer Justin Quill told SEN's Breakfast that things could get" quite messy and quite complicated" for the AFL. While earlier in the week Queensland Australian of the Year, RAAF Group Captain and transgender activist Cate McGregor suggested the AFL could be infringing on discrimination laws.

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For more experiences from transgender athletes:

"Call Me Matt"—Life As a Transgender High School Athlete

What Actually Happens When a Trans Athlete Transitions

A Girl in the Boys' Locker Room