Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey's bid to play AFLW may have taken a hit with the release of the AFL's gender diversity policy on Friday.
The league blocked Mouncey's attempt at playing in the 2018 AFLW season, though she did play for Darebin Falcons in the VFLW this year.
Plans for the development of gender diversity guidelines were put in place, with the AFL releasing them on Friday.
With regards to trans-women and non-binary players, the AFL announced the required testosterone levels that players need to be under in order to apply for the draft.
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The AFL's policy states:
- Given the physical nature of Australian Rules Football, it is considered that maintenance of testosterone at or below 5 nmol/Lfor at least 2 years is reasonable to ensure that the competitive advantage of higher levels of testosterone have dissipated to an acceptable degree at the time the trans or non-binary person proposes to play in the AFLW competition.
- This threshold requirement has been the subject of extensive medical consultation by the AFL.
- If the threshold requirement is met, trans women and non-binary people seeking to nominate for the AFLW draft must produce information including (to the extent available) data regarding their height, weight, bench press, 20m sprint, vertical jump, GPS data and 2km run.
- If an application is approved, an applicant who is then drafted by an AFLW club is required to maintain their total testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L and may be required to undergo periodic testing.
While it's believed that Mouncey's testosterone levels are below those required, afl.com.au's Matt Thompson reports that she would be unlikely to pass other criteria.
However she is still entitled to go through the process.
Mouncey's specific situation wasn't addressed by the AFL on Friday, though social inclusion general manager Tanya Hosch said the policy would continue to be reviewed.
"We know that inclusion and belonging delivers real social benefits for individuals and communities, and we do want to send a message that all are welcome in our game," Hosch said.
"The policy will be reviewed at least every two years, and the AFL also acknowledges that the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission continue to develop a sporting industry wide approach."
