A young athlete’s dreams of competing at a regional championship have been dashed after she finished third in a school race, trailing behind a transgender student who secured one of only two available qualifying positions.
Emily, an 11-year-old runner from regional Victoria whose surname is being withheld at her family’s request, carries remarkable sporting heritage. Her grandmother is Faith Leech, who at just 15 years old made Australian Olympic history by swimming alongside Dawn Fraser in the nation’s first women’s team to claim gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 1956 Melbourne Games. Leech also captured bronze in the 100m freestyle event that year.
The circumstances surrounding Emily’s exclusion have sparked a formal complaint to Victoria’s Department of Education and ignited broader debate about gender inclusion policies in youth athletics.
Following her third-place finish at an inter-school competition, Emily’s father submitted an official grievance on September 15, requesting special consideration for his daughter to advance to the regional track and field championships despite not placing in the top two.
In his complaint, he articulated concerns that extend beyond his daughter’s individual disappointment. “My formal complaint under the guidance of the School Sports Victoria’s Complaints and Grievances Policy is that children competing in athletic events should be considered to proceed to the next level of competition based on their sporting ability, achievements and sporting merit rather than an ideology especially at a Primary School level,” he wrote.
He emphasized his support for inclusive participation while questioning whether current policies adequately address competitive fairness. “While I fully support inclusion and the right of all students to participate and understand the current policy, I am concerned about fairness in competition, particularly for young women like Emily who are striving towards serious sporting achievements and that this policy may unintentionally limit Emily and other young women athletes opportunities to progress in athletics and compete on an equal playing field in the future,” his complaint stated.
The Department of Education rejected the appeal. Brendan Rigby, executive director of Statewide Programs and The Schools, responded with acknowledgment of the family’s dedication but cited existing policy frameworks.
“I recognize the effort and commitment that goes into preparing for these events, and I understand how important this opportunity is for Emily and your family,” Mr Rigby wrote. “Our inclusion guidance allows students aged 11 years and under to participate in competitions where they feel most comfortable. The Invitations Policy outlines the circumstances where a student may be offered a place. Based on the information provided, Emily’s circumstances do not meet the criteria for an invitation on this occasion.”
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy organizations. Stephanie Bastiaan from Women’s Forum Australia expressed frustration with the outcome and broader policy approach.
“These dreams are being crushed over guidelines because she has to compete against a male student in a female competition and it’s unfair and it’s wrong,” Ms Bastiaan said. “Girls are being discriminated against on the basis of sex in this scenario… they are missing out on opportunities to go ahead and compete because of so-called ‘inclusion’. It’s at their exclusion.”
She argued that Emily’s case presented a clear opportunity for exception. “If there was any scenario where they should have allowed a special consideration to be made so she could have pursued her dream as an athlete, this was it.”
The biological advantages males possess in athletic competition typically become most pronounced after puberty, but research suggests disparities emerge earlier. A 2004 study published in Human Kinetics, a US exercise science journal, found boys demonstrate slight advantages beginning around age eight or younger in activities including short-distance running, shuttle runs, various jumping disciplines, strength measures, muscular endurance, and throwing events.
“It is unfair that biological males are able to compete against girls, even in primary school,” Ms Bastiaan said. “We know that testosterone is detectable in utero, so while it might not be as prominent until puberty hits, it’s still there and it’s still a factor that gives them strength against girls, speed against girls, and it’s wrong.”
According to the advocacy group, Emily’s case reflects growing parental concern about gender policies in youth sport. “What we’re also seeing now is a rise in parental backlash – parents who are investing in their daughters’ futures in sport,” Ms Bastiaan said. “They’re recognising that there is something wrong and very unfair about the fact that girls are missing out or they’re at risk of injury due to these policies.”
