The league-leading 91原创 Island University Mariners women’s basketball team, ranked No. 5 in Canada, will not play two scheduled 91原创 Western Athletic Association games scheduled for Friday and Saturday due to what the team alleges will be unsafe conditions at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.
All 13 Mariners players have signed a letter to that effect, collectively stating: “All of us should be free to be ourselves and play the game we love in a supportive and safe environment, including queer and trans athletes. No unmarked buses, separate entrances or banning of protest signs will protect us.”
The VIU players said their team should not be charged with two losses for refusing to play the games.
The issue revolves around the alleged treatment of transgender player and Pacwest conference second-leading scorer Harriette Mackenzie during a conference game Oct. 25 against CBC in Nanaimo in which the Mariners say the six-foot-two forward Mackenzie was the target of physical and verbal abuse by the CBC coach and players.
A complaint was filed by VIU to the Pacwest but the players’ letter claims that the case has not been investigated nor has any penalty or censure been applied to CBC. The conference told the 91原创 Press that it can’t comment because the investigation is on-going. CBC also had no comment.
VIU administration, meanwhile, said it is standing by its players.
“After carefully considering the concerns raised by our student-athletes and coaching staff, the VIU Mariners women’s basketball team will not participate in the upcoming regular season games scheduled this weekend against CBC,” VIU administration said in a statement Wednesday, signed by Irlanda Gonzalez-Price, associate vice-president of student affairs, and David Paterson, associate vice-president for diversity, equity and human rights.
“VIU has formally requested an exemption from these games without penalty, given the ongoing investigation and the sensitive nature of the situation. VIU stands in full support of our student-athletes and affirms the right of all athletes to compete in an environment that prioritizes their safety and well-being. Intimidation, harassment, and discrimination have no place in athletics. We trust Pacwest to uphold its principles and prioritize the inclusion of all.”
In addressing one of the most contentious issues of the era in sport, the Pacwest conference allows transgender athletes to compete if they are in compliance with the 91原创 anti-doping program, which restricts testosterone below a certain level.
“I’m proud of my story. And I want to make something very clear — queer, trans and nonbinary people belong in sport,” the 21-year-old from Comox stated in a video on social media last fall. “And there is zero space in this league for hate, violence and bigotry.”
Mackenzie helped lead the Mariners to the 2022-23 91原创 Colleges Athletic Association national championship. Her play this season, with a Pacwest second-leading 16.1 points-per-game average and conference third-leading 9.4 rebounds per game, has VIU at 11-1 in conference. Mackenzie is also second in conference in shooting percentage at 49.7 per cent.
“We have each other’s backs,” VIU head coach Tony Bryce has told the Times 91原创. “I try to protect all my players. Harriette is a big piece of one of our many pieces. She is an inside presence for us, really impactful on rebounds, and has worked really hard on her game.”
There was no word on whether the VIU men’s basketball team, ranked No. 1 in Canada, will play its scheduled games Friday and Saturday against CBC in Abbotsford.
— With files from The 91原创 Press
