Basketball Australia has rejected a transgender athlete’s application to join a women’s semi-professional Australian basketball league.
A source with knowledge of the decision, who was not authorised to disclose the result publicly, confirmed to The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald that a three-person panel assembled by Basketball Australia has determined that basketballer Lexi Rodgers will not be able to play for the Kilsyth Cobras in the WNBL1 South basketball league.
Lexi Rodgers had applied to be allowed to play for Kilsyth.
Basketball Australia assembled the three-person panel in March. The panel consisted of Dr Peter Harcourt, Basketball Australia’s chief medical officer and Commonwealth Games medical adviser; Suzy Batkovic, a Basketball Australia board member and three-time Olympian; and Associate Professor Diana Robinson, a sports and exercise physician from Notre Dame University.
Basketball Australia released a statement later on Tuesday confirming that Rodgers was ineligible to play elite-level basketball.
“The balance of inclusivity, fairness and the competitive nature of sport will always be a complex area to navigate, and we thank those involved who have maintained integrity and respect throughout the process,” the statement said.
Basketball Australia emphasised the eligibility of trans athletes was assessed on a case-by-case basis and said Rodgers would give feedback following her experience.
“I am sad about the potential message this decision sends to trans and gender diverse people everywhere.”
Lexi Rodgers
“To aid us in further developing this framework, key stakeholders from the transgender community will contribute feedback and guidance, including Lexi Rodgers, who will provide advice following her experiences,” the statement read.
Rodgers thanked those who supported her during the application process, and said she was sad about the outcome of the decision.
“Consistent with the views expressed by so many, I firmly believe I have a place as an athlete in women’s basketball.
“I hope that one day basketball’s governing body can replicate the inclusion and acceptance I have found on the court with my teammates.
“I hope Basketball Australia understands that this is not the end of my journey as an athlete and that it must not miss future opportunities to demonstrate its values. I am sad about the potential message this decision sends to trans and gender diverse people everywhere.
“As an athlete, this passion and love for the game motivates me to play to the best of my abilities against the toughest competitors at the highest levels.”
Batkovic thanked Rodgers for her understanding and patience throughout the process.
“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.”
“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.”
Rodgers came forward as the applicant last month and spoke about her desire to return to basketball in the podcast Under The Surface with Anneli Maley.
Kilsyth Basketball boss Will van Poppel has previously told Rodgers that regardless of the panel’s decision, she would be welcome to join training sessions with the Cobras for the season.
The application was made public in March following a statement from Basketball Victoria.
Rodgers made an inquiry to join the Kilsyth Cobras women’s team with head coach Hannah Lowe a week before Christmas.
Lowe invited Rodgers to participate in tryouts before an eligibility assessment, as required by Basketball Victoria.
After van Poppel returned from an overseas trip, he met representatives from Basketball Australia and Basketball Victoria to discuss the eligibility process.
In the statement released in March, Basketball Victoria confirmed that Rodgers had submitted to medical and physical testing under the new assessment process introduced for the 2023 season. Rodgers had waited for a process to be introduced so she could apply.
Basketball Australia later convened the panel to assess the application.
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