A transgender hockey player has won a Victorian women’s best and fairest award after a 32-goal season, drawing complaints from opponents as another player urged critics to judge participants on their conduct.
Alanna Eddington, 31, received the Women’s Vic League 1 honour under the name Alanna Ward after polling 33 votes.
The Monash University Hockey Club player scored 27 goals during the regular season and another five in finals. She previously competed in the Men’s Premier League for Southern United.
Her award has renewed discussion about transgender participation in an open-age women’s competition which is open to players from the age of 14.
Hockey Victoria said it follows the national guidelines for the ‘Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Community Hockey’.
‘Hockey is a game for all ages and genders and prides itself on being a fair and inclusive sport,’ the governing body said.
Alanna Eddington began competing for Monash University in the the Women’s Vic League 1 competition in 2025
Eddington was named best and fairest in the women’s competition in 2026, under the name of Alanna Ward
‘Hockey Victoria remains committed to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all participants.’
One opponent said she was ‘so angry’ to learn Eddington had received the award.
Another raised concerns about the physical risks involved in the sport.
‘Hockey is a fast and physical sport where collisions, sticks and the ball can cause injuries,’ she said.
‘I have nothing against transgender women and I respect everyone’s right to participate in sport, but I believe the safety and wellbeing of female players should also be considered.’
‘Women should be able to compete in an environment where they feel safe and have a fair opportunity to perform.’
However, a player who described competing in leagues across the ACT, Queensland and Tasmania shared a different perspective in a social media post.
‘There are plenty of trans players out there. Just because you don’t know them, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Play mixed hockey. Gain some perspective,’ they said.
The player described encounters with transgender opponents dating back to 2008, including two whose physical approach they believed should have been addressed.
‘Obviously, that type of aggressive behaviour isn’t acceptable regardless of the player.’
‘Again, I place the onus upon the team and umpires for not addressing this issue. She was a dangerous player. She would have been dangerous even as a biological woman.’
Their experience in an ACT competition in 2013 and 2014 was different.
‘Again, we had a trans woman in our league.’
‘So I feel like she just played a normal game like everyone else.’
The author also described playing mixed masters hockey in Tasmania.
‘What this proved to me without a shade of a doubt, was that men can and will change their style of play to accommodate the style of play of women’s hockey.’
‘The games weren’t aggressive. They were still full of skill.’
More recently, the player said they had joined a hockey club in Tasmania, where they played alongside a transgender man.
The post did not say the author had played against Eddington.
‘This is the first time I have ever played in [a team] with a trans man. And he was on my team,’ they said.
‘What makes this league even better, is that it is a mixed league. Every team plays with both men and women on the field. And guess what? It works!’
‘The onus is upon the team to ensure that the player keeps things clean. Hockey is a team sport. So long as the player knows that and does the right thing … what’s the issue?’
‘If the player is acting unsportsmanlike? The umpires treats them like any other player.’
Eddington’s award followed previous complaints from parents and coaches.
An unnamed coach claimed at least one opponent had been left in tears over concerns about Eddington’s speed and power, including her shots on goal.
‘Many spectators have commented about safety concerns and the clear difference in impact during the game.’
The complaints cited did not identify an injury caused by Eddington.
Eddington previously played for Southern United in the Men’s Premier League from 2016 to 2019 and again between April and September 2021.
In its response to the earlier complaints, Hockey Victoria pointed to community inclusion guidelines allowing transgender participation without testosterone testing.
Daily Mail has contacted Alanna Eddington and Monash University for comment.
