Football Victoria is facing scrutiny after a transgender player received a top goalscorer award in its women's competition, prompting some female athletes to voice concerns about fairness and safety in sports.
The player, who has not been publicly identified, received the award after competing in Victoria's premier knockout competition for women's football. The individual has also participated in the state's women's National Premier League in recent years.
Former American professional footballer Addison Steiner, who competed against the player in Melbourne, said the athlete was significantly faster and stronger than some of the league's quickest players. Steiner stated that she was unaware the player was transgender until after the game concluded. "This player was undeniably faster, stronger and more technical, out running some of the quickest players in the league," Steiner said. "I found myself thinking damn this player is an absolute beast and shocked by their abilities, unaware she was a transgender woman until the game was finished."
Steiner expressed support for the transgender community but questioned the implications of transgender women participating in female competitions. "It's about protecting women's sports where we have fought so hard for decades to be respected, seen, heard and given equal opportunities and resources," she stated. "We are forced to succumb to these decisions made by the soccer federations here without any choice."
Another female player, who identified as having previously played on the same team as the transgender woman, claimed that some competitors were hesitant to challenge her physically. "Many players admitted being too scared to go in for tackles against them," this player reported. She added that her inquiries to Football Victoria about perceived differences in speed and strength were met with the response that inclusion was the organization's "foremost priority."
Football Victoria chief executive Dan Birrell stated that there is no current requirement for participants to disclose their sex at birth. "There is no current requirement for born/biological sex disclosure from any player/person behind their identified gender," Birrell told News Corp. He also noted that research has cast doubt on claims that transgender participation necessarily presents greater strength or injury risks.
The organization's policy aligns with the broader stance of Australian football authorities, which permit transgender players to participate in many community competitions according to their gender identity. Football Victoria, Football NSW, and Football Australia have previously stated their policies are in accordance with Australian anti-discrimination laws and guidance from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Supporters of these policies argue that community sport should remain accessible and inclusive. However, transgender players and clubs have reported experiencing abuse and harassment.
Sydney's Flying Bats Football Club, which identifies as Australia's largest LGBTQIA+ women's and non-binary football club, has been a focal point of this debate. In 2024, the club's Women's Premier League team finished its regular season undefeated, scoring 65 goals and conceding only four. Several opposing teams reportedly forfeited fixtures amid concerns raised by players and parents.
Flying Bats officials have rejected claims that their transgender players have an unfair advantage and maintain the club adheres to the rules set by football authorities. Former club president Jennifer Peden defended their inclusion, stating, "Trans women belong in the women's competition because that is the gender with which they identify."
Advocacy groups have also weighed in. Stephanie Bastiaan, head of advocacy for Women's Forum Australia, described the participation of transgender women in female sporting categories as "wrong and unfair." She called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Sports Minister Anika Wells to address the concerns of female athletes and strengthen protections for single-sex sporting categories.
Peter Jess, an AFL player agent and concussion campaigner, has separately argued that allowing transgender women to compete in female collision sports could increase injury risks. Conversely, transgender athlete Freya Golding, who was cleared to compete in Adelaide's community football competition, disputed suggestions that she presented an unacceptable risk. "I'm not the biggest and tallest player going around and by no means am I a dominant player," Golding told Nine News. "I've had some good moments, but it's rare I get in the best players."