Lexi Rodgers, a transgender-identifying male athlete who wished to compete in Australia’s semi-professional women’s basketball league, was barred entry based on an expert panel’s ruling.
Rodgers’s application to play with the Kilsyth Cobras, an amateur team one rung below the Women’s National Basketball League (NBL), was confirmed in a statement released by the professional sports body in Australia.
“An expert panel convened by Basketball Australia (BA) has determined transgender athlete Lexi Rodgers is ineligible to play elite (or sub-elite) level basketball, including for the Kilsyth Cobras in the NBL1 South competition this season,” the organization wrote in a statement.
“As the national governing body, Basketball Australia acknowledges we are still on a path of education and understanding. To aid us in further developing this framework, key stakeholders form the transgender community will contribute feedback and guidance, including Lexi Rodgers, who will provide advice following her experiences.”
“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 body’s current director, Suzy Batkovic, specifically thanked Rodgers “for her cooperation, understanding and patience throughout this process – it’s a complex space that continues to evolve.”
“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,” Batkovic, a former basketball Olympian, added.
Rodgers released a public statement on social media following the news: “I hope to one day be playing elite women’s basketball in the future and will continue to work on making the sport I love a place for all.”
“I am sad about the potential message this decision sends to trans and gender diverse people everywhere. I hope that one day basketball’s governing body can replicate the inclusion and acceptable I have found on the court with my teammates,” Rodgers concluded.