An evangelical Mennonite bible school in British Columbia that has been accused of mistreating a transgender participant says it is going to now not be internet hosting the upcoming males’s and ladies’s basketball provincials.
The choice comes after the Pacific Western Athletic Affiliation (PACWEST) concluded its investigation into Columbia Bible Faculty in Abbotsford, B.C., final week.
Final yr, Harriette Mackenzie, a Vancouver Island College (VIU) participant who’s transgender, filed a grievance with PACWEST towards Columbia Bible Faculty, alleging she was verbally and bodily mistreated by the basketball crew’s coach and gamers.
PACWEST has not launched the findings of its investigation, solely saying {that a} “resolution has been communicated to the related events, and the matter is now thought-about closed.”
PACWEST didn’t reply to requests for remark from CBC Information.
In a press release, Columbia Bible Faculty stated it is “deeply dissatisfied” with PACWEST’s resolution.
“We don’t imagine {that a} correct course of was adopted or that the outcomes had been truthful. Consequently, we’re taking steps to have PACWEST’s resolution reviewed,” the school stated.
VIU stated in a press release that PACWEST’s resolution “reinforces the significance of upholding ideas of respect, fairness, and inclusion with collegiate athletics.”
“At VIU, we proudly stand in full assist of our student-athletes and affirm the proper of all athletes to compete in an setting that prioritizes their security and well-being.”
Allegations of anti-trans ‘tirade’
Mackenzie, a ahead with the VIU Mariners, spoke out on social media final fall in regards to the alleged mistreatment she confronted.
The Mariners (4-0) had received a pair of residence video games towards the Columbia Bible Faculty Bearcats. After the primary sport, Mackenzie stated, Bearcats coach Taylor Claggett went on a “tirade,” yelling at a VIU employees member that Mackenzie — who led each groups with 19 factors and 16 rebounds — should not be allowed to play towards girls. A social media account linked to Claggett additionally posted anti-trans messages after the sport.
In the course of the second sport a day later, Mackenzie stated she was bodily focused by her opponents. She later shared a video from the sport the place, away from the ball, a Columbia Bible Faculty participant tossed her to the ground. Mackenzie completed with 14 factors and 4 rebounds as her crew received once more.
Columbia Bible Faculty, an evangelical Mennonite bible school, stated on the time that Claggett was “talking out for the protection of her gamers like all good coach would do.”
Final month, the Mariners skipped out on a pair of video games at Columbia Bible Faculty. All 13 Mariners gamers additionally signed a letter saying they don’t really feel secure taking part in on the school.
“All of us ought to be free to be ourselves and play the sport we love in a supportive and secure setting, together with queer and trans athletes,” learn the letter.
Certainly one of Alberta’s newly launched payments is meant to guard the integrity of feminine athletic competitions, in line with the Alberta authorities. The province says the invoice would set up organic female-only divisions, and intercourse registration at beginning would decide aggressive eligibility. The federal government says it will additionally assist the creation of mixed-gender divisions so all athletes can compete.
Head coach takes backseat
Claggett took a backseat as Columbia Bible Faculty’s head coach this previous weekend as the college introduced one other coach could be taking on for his or her basketball crew’s sport towards Okanagan Faculty Coyotes in Kelowna, B.C.
It is unclear whether or not the transfer is linked to PACWEST’s investigation or when Claggett will return to being head coach.
The college stated Claggett “stays an important member” of the basketball program and that it appears to be like ahead to having her again at courtside as quickly as attainable.
The lads’s and ladies’s basketball provincials are scheduled to happen from Feb. 27 to March 1. A brand new location for the event has but to be introduced.
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