Trans handball player Hannah Mouncey fears new ban amid rising global restrictions
Australian trans athlete Hannah Mouncey has voiced concerns that she may soon be banned from international competition, despite years of representing her country in women’s handball. Mouncey, who was previously blocked from entering the AFL Women’s draft in 2017, now fears that tightening global policies on trans athletes could end her Olympic dreams.
Mouncey, 35, has played for Australia’s women’s national handball team since 2018, competing in major tournaments including the Asian Women’s Handball Championship. She remains a key figure in the squad’s efforts to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Brisbane Games. However, she told the Sacked podcast she expects to be banned “by the end of the year,” citing growing pressure from international sporting bodies and political forces.
I’ve always believed in fairness and restrictions where needed, but blanket bans are not the answer.
Her fears follow recent moves by organisations such as FINA and World Athletics, which have introduced policies excluding trans women who have undergone male puberty from elite female competitions. Mouncey believes handball may be next, despite the International Handball Federation’s updated statutes in 2024 affirming non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
“I’ve played for the Australian women’s team for seven or eight years now and had no issues, especially from overseas,” Mouncey said. “The Asian handball federation has been fantastic, and I’ve had positive responses from teams in countries like Iran and Kazakhstan.”
Mouncey has consistently advocated for fair and evidence-based inclusion policies. She supports the International Olympic Committee’s requirement of 12–24 months of hormone therapy for trans athletes, noting that her own physical capabilities significantly declined after beginning treatment in 2015.
“There’s this idea that trans athletes have an unfair advantage, but the results don’t show that,” she said. “I’ve always believed in fairness and restrictions where needed, but blanket bans are not the answer.”
Despite the challenges, Mouncey remains committed to competing and raising awareness about the realities faced by transgender athletes. “The fight is hard,” she said. “But I can’t walk away from it.”
