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Trans Football Player Withdraws From Draft, Says League Is Blocking Her

Hannah Mouncey posted results from her blood tests and said the league has targeted her for being trans.

A transgender woman who had hoped to play in the Australian Football League’s professional women’s competition has withdrawn her nomination from the draft, and is accusing the league of blocking her from competing.

Hannah Mouncey, who was a member of the men's Australian handball team before transitioning, was hoping to enter the 2019 AFLW draft after being rejected from the 2018 AFLW draft that took place earlier this year.

Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Hannah Mouncey of Darebin (R) in action during the round 14 VFLW match between Darebin and the Southern Saints at Bill Lawry Oval on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The AFL approved her request to play for Melbourne club Darebin in the state-level Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) competition back in February, and she finished the season as the second highest goal-kicker, Reuters reports.

The AFL released a gender diversity policy governing the participation of trans and non-binary people on August 31, which requires athletes to prove their testosterone levels have been maintained below threshold (at or below 5 nmol/L) for at least two years.

Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Hannah Mouncey of Darebin (C) competes in the air during the round 14 VFLW match between Darebin and the Southern Saints at Bill Lawry Oval on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images)

"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," the policy continues.

Mouncey tweeted images showing her test results, saying they showed she met the requirements. She said she wanted "to show the reality of where I sit," and ensure she wasn't "labelled a cheat."

"The AFL has treated me like shit, with every effort made to wear me down to a point where I couldn't continue," Mouncey wrote.

Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Hannah Mouncey of Darebin (C) celebrates kicking a goal during the round 14 VFLW match between Darebin and the Southern Saints at Bill Lawry Oval on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images)

"Eventually what has gone on behind the scenes will come out, and it paints a sad picture of an organisation with no leadership, who cares only for its corporate image above all else. There are a number of things I can't risk by continuing this fight, which are far more important than football."

She also noted the experience has taken a "toll" on herself and those around her, and said she's "not ok with allowing that to continue," despite being sure she would have succeeded at the next level in her sport.

Mouncey previously opened up about receiving hundreds of death threats as a visible athlete who happens to be trans for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT).

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