- Matildas star was instrumental in win that secured finals berth
A ladies’s soccer membership on the centre of Australia’s transgender sport debate had been a part of a guard of honour for Matildas striker Michelle Heyman throughout her two hundredth A-League Girls look on Sunday.
Members of Sydney-based Flying Bats Soccer Membership, which describes itself as the biggest LGBTQIA+ ladies’s and non-binary soccer membership on the earth, had been concerned in pre-match and halftime actions throughout Canberra United’s 1–0 win over Wellington Phoenix Girls at McKellar Park.
The match marked Heyman’s two hundredth look within the A-League Girls and secured Canberra United a finals berth for the primary time for the reason that 2020–21 season.
The Flying Bats have drawn nationwide consideration in recent times after their Girls’s Premier League aspect went undefeated in 2024 whereas fielding a number of transgender gamers.
A number of opposing groups forfeited fixtures quite than play in opposition to them, prompting public debate over equity and eligibility guidelines in ladies’s sport.
Paralympian Tamsin Colley, who has beforehand earned a callup to the ParaMatildas squad, was additionally concerned within the guard of honour.
Canberra and Matildas star Michelle Heyman poses with supporters after her two hundredth match
Heyman poses for a photograph with The Flying Bats, a Sydney-based membership centred round inclusivity
A Flying Bats member poses with Heyman after her milestone match, after the membership additionally shaped a part of the guard of honour
She posted in regards to the occasion on Instagram, writing: ‘Acquired to satisfy the fabulous Michelle Heyman at present after an thrilling sport of soccer and volunteering to be a part of the guard of honour with The Flying Bats.’
‘Thanks for the invite,’ she added.
Colley additionally mentioned she had been ‘requested to signal some shirts for the Pinks and different gamers concerned within the halftime activation.’
The submit was later shared by the Flying Bats on Instagram.
Heyman, 36, was given a guard of honour earlier than kick-off and obtained a standing ovation from the 1,873-strong crowd when she was substituted late within the match.
‘Greatest day ever. That is all I can say,’ Heyman mentioned after the sport.
‘200 is one thing, however all I actually needed was the three factors,’ she added.
‘It is by no means straightforward, however I am simply actually pleased with the women to get the three factors and make finals.’
The Flying Bats have defended their participation insurance policies as compliant with grassroots inclusion tips.
Membership president Jennifer Peden beforehand mentioned: ‘Trans ladies belong within the ladies’s competitors as a result of that’s the gender with which they establish.’
Soccer NSW has acknowledged that neighborhood competitions align with nationwide anti-discrimination legal guidelines, which permit transgender athletes to compete within the class with which they establish.
Canberra United will play Western Sydney Wanderers Girls of their last regular-season match earlier than the finals.
