Transgender athlete speaks out after being banned from competing on netball team alongside teammate

One of two transgender netball players recently banned from competing in their major community league has issued a damning statement against decision-makers.

Manawa Aranui and another trans athlete previously played for Melton Central in the Riddell District Netball Football League in Victoria, Australia.

Last week, however, rival side Melton South issued a complaint against the pair's involvement, claiming its own players 'do not feel safe' and allegedly threatening to boycott future matches.

The claim came after a video emerged of Aranui - who was born a biological male - inadvertently knocking a biologically-female opponent to the ground during a recent match, something of a common occurrence during competitive netball games.

The incident was subsequently reported by the Herald Sun, in which both Aranui and another athlete were 'outed' as being transgender. As a result, the clip later went viral on social media, with a number of spectators also calling for the pair's removal from the sporting league.

In the days that followed, the Riddell District Netball Football League announced that both Aranui and the other unnamed player had been deemed ineligible from any further netball competitions this year.

Aranui has responded to the news (Facebook)

Representatives from the league later told press that the decision had been based upon the pair's 'superior stamina and physique' compared to that of the teammates that had been born female, who allegedly 'deem Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act relevant'.

A statement explaining the decision on the league's website went on to explain: "The RDFNL will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders on this very sensitive issue and offer any support that we can.

"The RDFNL Board reserves the right to reconsider these options at a future date should circumstances change."

Arunui has since issued a passionate statement in response to the global backlash that controversial has since stirred, claiming that Melton South's head coach had once attempted and failed to recruit her, suggesting this might be the real reason for their plea.

"I’ve sat quietly long enough while this narrative brewed and I’ve been dragged - publicly and without consent - into a conversation where both my character and identity have been attacked," the trans athlete penned on Facebook.

She went on to confess: "I’m not usually one to let outside noise affect me, but when 'opinions' and 'statements' are being twisted and presented as facts, I no longer feel it’s my place to stay silent.

"Melton South Football Netball Club and your Netball Coordinator/players: you’re entitled to your opinions, but let’s clear some things up.

Arunui had been informed she can no longer compete (Instagram/@westernfnl)

"Your head coach tried to recruit me to play for your club. Yes—YOUR HEAD COACH TRIED TO RECRUIT ME."

Arunui - who supplied evidence of an alleged social media conversation between herself and a Melton South coach - continued: "The same club now publicly speaking out against me, bashing me, and attacking the trans/non-binary community in the media, is the very club whose head coach approached me to join you."

Calling out her former rivals, she went on to demand: "Maybe this was a conversation or offer you’ve since buried to protect your narrative, but let me ask: Would this still be a conversation if I’d accepted the offer and played for you?

"Or is it only a problem now because we’re on opposing teams?"

Arunui went on to question the logistics behind their complaint, asking why hadn't previously been 'warned, penalised, or reprimanded' for her manner of play in the past.

"You’re entitled to believe it’s 'unfair' for cis women to compete against transgender women," she went on. "That’s your opinion. But the lies? They need to stop. You’re not out here protecting women’s sport.

Arunui included a screenshot of an alleged conversation with a Melton South coach (Facebook)

"You’re being malicious, using false narratives to mask your bigotry and personal agendas behind the guise of 'safeguarding women’s spaces'.

"You’ve spread stories, targeted me, and enabled me to become the sole focus of online abuse and sideline harassment from other clubs and their supporters—right here, in a space where I come to play a sport I love. A place I come to laugh, sweat, compete, and find community."

Arunui concluded her emotional message by calling out decision-makers.

"I hope you’re proud of that," she added. "And I hope no child in your families ever has to endure what you’ve subjected me to. I won’t be silenced, especially when none of you are willing to share the full truth of what’s happened behind the scenes.

"I’ve never sought the spotlight—but I won’t sit still and stay pretty anymore.

"This is for my trans and non-binary friends, and especially for the queer kids of the future who, hopefully, will never have to go through this. I might not be the first, but I sure as hell won’t be the last."