By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-19 20:49:11 | Updated at 2024-11-23 16:24:35
3 days ago
There is more gender controversy in the world of California volleyball, only this time, it's at the high school level.
Stone Ridge Christian, a central-California high school, has forfeited an upcoming girls volleyball playoff match in protest over the presence of a transgender player on opposing San Francisco Waldorf.
The forfeiture comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding San Jose State's women's team, which has seen a string of opponents forfeit matches to protest the Spartans' Blaire Fleming, a star player who is reportedly transgender.
Stone Ridge Christian administrator Julie Fagundes revealed the decision in a letter to team parents, saying the school has effectively decided to end its volleyball season rather than face a trans opponent.
'As many of you know, our girls won on Wednesday and advanced to the state playoffs,' read Fagundes' letter. 'Unfortunately, we were just informed that our opponent, San Francisco Waldorf, has a male athlete playing for their team.
A week ago, the school's volleyball account posted a photo of players in prayer
'At SRC, we believe God's Word is authoritative and infallible,' she continued. 'It is Truth. And as Genesis makes clear, God wonderfully and immutably created each person as male or female. We do not believe sex is changeable and we do not intend to participate in events that send a different message.'
But the decision to forfeit, thereby bringing the season to an end, was not made strictly on religious grounds, according to Fagundes.
'We also have a duty and responsibility to care for the health and safety of our athletes,' she wrote. 'So after consulting with our students, coaches, and staff, we have made the difficult decision to forfeit Saturday's game.
'Standing for Biblical truth means more than the outcome of a game. This is a heartbreaking end to our season, but I hope you will join me in congratulating these outstanding student-athletes. SRC is proud of them.'
Founded in 2000, Stone Ridge Christian High School says its mission is to teach the Bible
But the fallout from SRC's decision could extend beyond this season.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has the right to sanction any team that forfeits.
'Any team that withdraws from CIF playoffs is subject to sanctions at both the Section and State levels,' a CIF spokesperson told The Chronicle. 'No decision has been made at this time regarding future sanctions.'
Fagundes and the SRC volleyball players were praised online for their decision to forfeit the match and end their season.
'Agree!' one person wrote on X. 'Courage is contagious.'
Another added: 'We are proud of you!! You are heroes!!'
One critic wrote that it was 'so sad that these girls have worked hard to get to this point' only to forfeit while the 'team with the mentally ill male' gets the victory.
The CIF also has guidelines on the inclusion of trans athletes in scholastic sports.
Fagundes and the SRC volleyball players were praised online for their decision to forfeit
According to the organization's website, all students have the chance to participate 'in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student's records.'
'The student and/or the student's school may seek review of the student's eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics in a gender that does not match the gender assigned to him or her at birth, via the following procedure below should either the student or the school have questions or need guidance in making the determination,' the CIF website reads.
'Once the student has been granted eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics consistent with his/her gender identity, the eligibility is granted for the duration of the student's participation and does not need to be renewed every sports season or school year.'
The CIF guarantees that 'all discussion and documentation will be kept confidential, and the proceedings will be sealed unless the student and family make a specific request.'
San Francisco Waldorf School now advances to face St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday night.
Stone Ridge Christian was founded in 2000 with the mission of 'assisting parents in fulfilling' the 'God-given' responsibility of teaching the bible to students.
'Together with parents, and the church, Stone Ridge Christian School exists to educate students in developing their unique God given (sic) potential,' read the mission statement on the school website.
'Students will be equipped academically, spiritually, physically, and socially to impact their community and the world for God.'
