Coming to a Sports Complex Near You

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An amateur Australian soccer team has stirred controversy after the squad, which includes five transgender women, dominated a women-only tournament

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The Sydney-based Flying Bats FC went undefeated during the four-week tournament, including one game in which one of the transgender women scored six goals en route to a 10-0 beatdown

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Some parents pulled their daughters from matches over safety concerns. They believe the Flying Bats, who are backed by Pride Football Australia, should instead play in the mixed-gender games that include men and women.

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“It was so disheartening for them to see the huge difference in ability — they’re killing it.”

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Kirralie Smith, a spokesperson for Binary Australia, an advocacy group that maintains that there are only two genders, told the Daily Telegraph the league is putting the players at risk. She claimed that some girls were told not to complain or forfeit in protest for fear of repercussions.

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The Flying Bats Football Club president Jen Peden defended the club’s tournament victory and said the team stands for inclusion and “trans women belong in the women’s competition because that is the gender with which they identify.”

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