Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey has had her hopes of playing top-line footy dashed, with the AFL denying her request to nominate for tomorrow’s AFLW draft.
Mouncey’s fate had been left in the balance until the very last minute, with the AFL taking almost all the time available to them to make a decision.
Breaking News:
Transgender athlete Hannah Mouncey has been declined permission to play in the AFLW by the AFL.
— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) October 17, 2017
Mouncey had declared her intention to nominate for the draft after dominating the ACT’s women’s league, kicking 17 goals in 8 games for Ainslie.
However, the league this afternoon officially blocked Mouncey’s attempt to be drafted, with some reports on Twitter indicating the league cited Mouncey’s “physical disparity” as a defining reason.
Hannah Mouncey not allowed to play in AFLW in 2018. AFL says physical disparity is significant and would give unreasonable advantage
— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) October 17, 2017
Despite the AFL’s decision, it’s understood Mouncey comfortably meets the International Olympic Committee‘s guidelines and requirements for transgender athletes, which regulates the testosterone levels present in an athlete. The AFL, for what it’s worth, is a follower of IOC regulations.
The AFL reportedly left the door open for Mouncey to potentially compete in the 2019 AFLW season, but stated that she would have to undergo “similar” testing and procedures in order to nominate for any future draft.
The AFL’s decision today appears to have largely been made in line with the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act, which currently states that athletes can be discriminated against and excluded from sports based on sex or gender if “strength, stamina or physique is relevant.”
Mouncey last posted to social media to with a note of no comment a few days ago.
At the moment I am not in a position to make any comment surrounding my availability for the draft and will not be doing any interviews or making comment on the situation. Anyone with other requests can contact vivid sports management
— Hannah Mouncey 🤾♀️ (@HannahMouncey) October 15, 2017
Experts had previously warned that a decision against Mouncey’s inclusion could leave the league open to a messy legal battle.
Regardless, the 2017 AFLW Draft is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
