The New York Supreme Court struck down a directive from Long Island’s Nassau County that banned transgender women from participating in girls’ and women’s athletics at county parks.

Judge Francis Ricigliano ruled Friday that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-NY) did not have the authority to issue the order.

“With the stated goal of protecting women’s and girls’ rights to compete athletically, the County Executive issued an Executive Order aimed at preventing transgender women from participating in girls’ and women’s athletics at Nassau County parks, despite there being no corresponding legislative enactment providing the County Executive with the authority to issue such an order,” Ricigliano said in the 13-page decision.

Blakeman will appeal the decision. He reacted with a statement.

“Lack of courage from a Judge who didn’t want to decide the case on its merits,” he said. “Unfortunately, girls and women are hurt by the Court.”

“The plaintiffs conceded that I had the authority to issue the Executive Order and the judge on his own went out of his way to avoid ruling on the merits,” Blakeman told the New York Post.

The New York Civil Liberties Union had previously filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Long Island Roller Rebels that alleged discrimination based on gender identity from the order.

The Roller Rebels are a county-based roller derby league with members including those who are transgender and would have had to prevent any non-biological women from participating in activities on county-run parks or athletic facilities.

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“Today’s decision is a victory for those who believe that transgender people have the right to participate in sports just like everyone else,” Amanda Urena, president of the Roller Rebels, said in a statement, ABC News reported.

New York Attorney General Letitia James previously demanded that the Nassau County Executive recant his order along with a cease-and-desist letter and said the Friday decision was a “major victory.”