Lucy Zelic backs World Netball’s new rules on trans athletes after speaking out against women’s football side with five trans players

World Netball’s stance on trans athletes has won support from Lucy Zelic after the SBS commentator previously spoke out against a women’s football team with five biological males.

On Tuesday, the governing body announced that “those registered as female at birth regardless of gender identity and transgender athletes who can establish … that they have not experienced the biological effects of testosterone at any time” are eligible to play in women’s netball competition as part of their “participation and inclusion” policy.

World Netball’s stance follows a row in New South Wales after a women’s football team – Flying Bats FC – fielding five biological males dominated a women’s pre-season competition, with author JK Rowling opposing the team’s inclusion.

Zelic, who has hosted SBS’s soccer World Cup coverage, echoed those sentiments, writing on Twitter: ‘I don’t agree with transgender participants in women’s sports.’

She has now responded to World Netball’s participation and inclusion policy, applauding the governing body for their ‘tremendous leadership’ on the subject.

“Well done to World Netball who have shown tremendous leadership and released their participation and inclusion policy,” she wrote on Tuesday.

Zelic has expressed concern about the ‘integrity’ of women’s sports if transgender athletes participate, adding: ‘Women are afraid to talk openly about this issue and that’s not ok.’

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been a vocal critic of the transgender movement and has clashed with activists online over her outspoken views – leading to an outcry for her to be investigated under Scotland’s new hate crime laws.

Rowling was referred to Police Scotland for referring to a number of transgender women, including campaigners, convicted prisoners and celebrities, as ‘men’ in a series of tweets.

Police Scotland later confirmed that no action will be taken against the famous British author after she challenged new hate laws in the country with the barrage of messages.

On the Flying Bats’ official website, they claim they are ‘the largest LGBTQIA+ female and non-binary football club in the world’.

Club president Jennifer Peden told TheWSTNews Australia: ‘As a club, Flying Bats FC stands strongly for inclusion and prides itself on safe, respectful and fair play, promoting a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and significant physical, social and mental health benefits that participation in sport brings, particularly for marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a club that values ​​our cis and transgender players equally.

Zelic has been outspoken in his views on the subject after a major story in Australia

A women’s soccer team fielded five biological men and dominated a women’s tournament

‘We strongly support the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.

‘These guidelines, together with the Sex Discrimination Act, inform the gender inclusion policies of Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association at the community, grassroots level where we play.

“Trans women belong in the women’s competition because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have been playing with the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to advanced, just like our cis female players.

‘Our players are assessed for ability and placed in the team most appropriate for their skill and experience level.’

A Football NSW spokesman said the organization prides itself on being at the forefront of developing inclusive policies for the sport in Australia and operates within the existing legal framework, including anti-discrimination legislation.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling criticized the move and was referred to Police Scotland

“Football NSW continues to align with Football Australia’s adoption of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Transgender and Gender Inclusion in Sport guidelines, which allow local players to participate in football based on the gender they identify with,” the spokesperson said.

The Australian Sports Commission’s Trans and Gender Inclusion Statement reads: ‘All Australians should have the opportunity to be involved in sport and physical activity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or ethnicity.

“It is important that sports organisations, from local clubs to national sports organisations, reflect the diversity of the communities they are part of and that together we ensure that all people are treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination.”