Adelaide football clubs have threatened to forfeit matches against a team fielding transgender player Freya Golding after the AFL cleared her to continue competing in the women’s league.
Three clubs lodged formal duty-of-care complaints following an off-ball incident involving the Westminster Old Scholars utility during round five.
The AFL’s Gender Diversity Policy Committee reviewed the evidence but ruled it was not satisfied that Golding’s participation created an unacceptable safety risk.
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan has now revealed clubs could refuse to play Westminster if neither the league nor the AFL changes its position.
‘The problem with the lack of leadership being offered [by the AFL] here is it creates a windstorm of reactions from those who want to understand,’ Kernahan said.
‘At our level, we are seeking counsel on what our rights are as an organisation to make a ruling as per the wishes of Adelaide Footy League Members.
Freya Golding (pictured right) was cleared to continue playing after the AFL found she did not pose an unacceptable safety risk
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said clubs could take matters into their own hands by forfeiting matches
Golding (pictured second from left) rejected claims she dominated opponents and said she simply wanted to continue playing the sport she loved
‘And then underneath that, we have come to learn of a protest from clubs that if neither the Adelaide Footy League or the AFL can make a tough call, they will by way of forfeiting.
‘We’d hope we can work through this before clubs start forfeiting in protest which regardless of any individual or institutional ideologies, is not good for the game of footy much less the community in general.’
No matches will be affected this season because Westminster was eliminated from the finals by Mitcham last weekend.
Golding has rejected claims that she dominates opponents or holds an overwhelming physical advantage.
‘I’m not the biggest and tallest player going around and by no means am I a dominant player. I’ve had some good moments but it’s rare I get in the best players,’ Golding told 9NEWS.
‘I just want to play the sport I love with a great group of people.’
The committee’s confidential determination stated: ‘The Committee determined that it was not satisfied that the Player’s participation in the Competition gives rise to unacceptable safety risks.
‘Accordingly, the Player is permitted to continue to participate in the Competition.’
Westminster Old Scholars was eliminated from the finals, meaning Golding would not play again during the current football season
The AFL left open the possibility of conducting another assessment if new information emerged about potential safety risks
Community footballers can generally compete in the category matching their gender identity under the AFL’s policy.
Competitive advantage alone is not grounds for exclusion at that level, but individual players can be assessed when safety concerns are raised.
Different requirements apply in the AFLW and state leagues, where transgender players must meet testosterone limits.
Kernahan previously accused the AFL of overseeing a process that lacked independence.
‘Our disappointment does not arise because the AFL reached a different conclusion than our own, it arises because we are no longer convinced the AFL was ever capable of reaching another one,’ he said.
‘The AFL drafted the policy, the AFL promoted the policy, the AFL appointed the committee to oversee the policy, the AFL assessed the evidence of the policy and ultimately the AFL delivered the verdict on the policy … in other words, the AFL marked its own homework.’
The AFL said it remained ‘committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the football community.’
‘The AFL considers all referrals to the AFL Community Gender Diversity Policy Committee in accordance with the AFL Gender Diversity Policy for Community Football and if a player does not pose an unacceptable safety risk they are generally permitted to continue participating in the competition,’ a spokesperson said.
The AFL said its policy aimed to provide a safe and inclusive environment for everyone involved in community football
While several clubs and campaign groups have opposed the decision, sporting figures have also spoken in support of transgender participation.
Olympic swimming silver medallist Maddie Groves has previously argued transgender Australians should be allowed to participate in community sport.
‘Australia prides itself on being a country that gives people a fair go, we should never deny people opportunities because of their gender… Trans people deserve to play sport like anyone else,’ Groves said.
WNBL player Anneli Maley has also said transgender athletes are not the main problem confronting women’s competitions.
‘The primary challenge for women’s sport is not transgender women but rather a lack of general support from men and the wider community,’ she said.
Kernahan acknowledged that people raising concerns also understood the difficult position in which Golding had been placed.
‘What has been obvious is the silent majority have suddenly found voice on a subject they didn’t think they could offer,’ he said.
‘As unfortunate as the current debate is, the support from our clubs has been humbling.
‘But those same people are also empathetic to the position Freya finds herself too.’
The AFL has left open the possibility of another risk assessment if new information emerges that could affect the committee’s determination.
