The women's college basketball team in Vancouver, Canada, has refused to play against a Christian university team due to allegations of mistreatment of a transgender player. Christian University denies the allegations.
Vancouver Island University released a statement Wednesday announcing it will not play any future games against Columbia Bible College. Vancouver Island's statement alleges that Columbia Bible coaches treated a transgender player during a game between the teams on Oct. 25 in violation of the coaches' code of ethics. There is.
“Intimidation, harassment and discrimination have no place in athletics,” the statement read. “VIU fully supports our student-athletes and affirms the right of all athletes to compete in an environment that prioritizes safety and health.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The school also asked its athletic conference, the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), not to penalize teams if they refuse to play.
Columbia Bible provided a statement to Fox News Digital regarding Vancouver Island's decision and statement.
“This was amazing news for us,” the statement said. “CBC stands for safe play for everyone. Accusations that CBC, its coaches, players, and fans are a safety threat are completely false and misinformed.”
Columbia Bible's statement also included a claim that the university has a safety plan in place that includes increasing the safety of games involving transgender athletes.
“CBC has a reputation for providing a safe environment, and out of an abundance of caution, CBC worked with PACWEST to create an event safety plan specifically for these games. and received input from the Abbotsford Police Department. The plan includes, among other measures, “increased security,” the statement reads.
All players on the Vancouver Island team signed a letter stating it is unsafe to play at Columbia Bible following the October incident.
According to multiple news outlets, the transgender player is third-year forward Harriet McKenzie, who is openly transgender.
On Oct. 30, McKenzie posted a video on his Instagram page in which Columbia Bible head coach Taylor Claggett “cornered one of our athletic staff members and asked him how he should be allowed to play.” “He used abusive language,” he claimed.
How transgenderism in sports will change the 2024 election and ignite a national counterculture
McKenzie said he was also intentionally fouled by a Columbia Bible player and was thrown to the ground.
“I couldn't see the play on the ball and got chucked to the ground with both hands on number 13. At that moment, I saw head coach Clagett clapping and cheering me on,” the trans athlete said.
In response, Ms Claggett posted her own statement on Instagram, calling Ms McKenzie's statements inaccurate.
“My intentions have nothing to do with any particular athlete. Instead, it is the safety of female athletes in their sport,” she wrote.
Vancouver Island has submitted a formal complaint to PACWEST as this matter is currently under investigation. The university said McKenzie's participation was in accordance with conference policy.
“VIU strictly adheres to the rules and regulations set forth by PACWEST and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), including the CCAA policy regarding the participation of transgender student-athletes,” the statement reads. .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
PACWEST released its own statement on this issue on November 1st.
“PACWEST recognizes that the participation of transgender student-athletes has received recent public attention. As a member of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), PACWEST recognizes that the participation of transgender student-athletes has recently received public attention. “We follow national policies and procedures regarding sports and transgender student and athlete participation,” the statement said.
“Furthermore, PACWEST, through the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport (CCES), encourages everyone to participate in educating through research on diversity and inclusion in sport and transgender people.”. It is a shared responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. ”
In the United States, President-elect Trump has vowed to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's and women's sports. President Trump has also repeatedly indicated that Canada will join the United States as the 51st state.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
