Transgender female basketball player Lexi Rodgers was hit with some disappointing news this week when she was ruled ineligible to compete in the WNBL1 South women’s semi-professional basketball league in Australia.
The decision came from Basketball Australia, the governing body for the sport in the country. The organization ruled that Rodgers was ineligible to compete in elite or sub-elite basketball, including for her team, the Kilsyth Cobras.
“Firstly, on behalf of Basketball Australia I’d like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Lexi for her cooperation, understanding and patience throughout this process – it’s a complex space that continues to evolve,” Basketball Australia director Suzy Batkovic said in a news release according to Fox News.
“While Lexi is understandably disappointed with the outcome, I know she’ll continue to support her NBL1 South team throughout the season and be an active member of the basketball community.
“As we continue to develop the framework for sub-elite and elite competitions, we understand the need to have a clear process and continual education within all layers of the sport so we can best support players, coaches, clubs, associations and the wider basketball community.
“I also want to make it clear because it’s important, that while this particular application was not approved based on criteria for elite (or sub-elite) competition, Basketball Australia encourages and promotes inclusivity at community level where the balance of physical activity, health and wellbeing and social benefits can outweigh the competitive nature of sport.”
It’s safe to say this is not the result Rodgers was seeking.
[Fox News]
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