Transgender soccer player Hannah Mouncey's application for the Australian Football League Women's draft has been rejected on the grounds that the physical disparity would give her an unfair advantage.
"The AFL has made a decision that the physical disparity between Hannah and other AFLW players is significant, in that it would have an effect on the AFLW competition and give rise to an unreasonable advantage," an AFL statement read.
"The subcommittee’s decision took into account the stage of maturity of the AFLW competition, its current player cohort and Ms. Mouncey’s individual circumstances.
"This decision solely relates to Ms. Mouncey’s nomination for the 2018 AFLW draft and participation in the 2018 AFLW competition.
"Ms. Mouncey may nominate for future AFLW drafts and for registration in other Australian Football competitions."
Mouncey began transitioning from male to female back in 2015 and was formerly a member of the Australian Men's Handball team who failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016. Mouncey also played for Ainslie in the AFL Canberra women's competition.
The 190cm (6-foot-2), 100kg (220lbs) Mouncey's testosterone levels fall between those required by the International Olympic Committee, which are the same guidelines followed by the AFL. In this case, however, the AFL has ruled that the 27-year-old's physical advantage would be too much for other athletes in the AFLW competition.
It's believed an appeal to the decision is unlikely.
The AFLW draft will be held on Wednesday, October 18, with the Western Bulldogs having the number 1 pick. According to the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs, and Melbourne clubs were considering taking Mouncey in the first round.
Source: sportingnews.com
