PRESS RELEASE
Today sees the first episode drop of the new three-part series, HOOPS , a powerful new docuseries chronicling the journey of transgender basketballer Lexi Rodgers, whose eligibility to play in Australia’s semi-professional NBL1 league was turned down by Basketball Australia following a single, high profile, viral tweet.
Instead of walking away, Lexi doubled down, continuing to train, advocate, and challenge the structures that sidelined her.
HOOPS, directed and written by Hannah McElhinney (Rainbow History Class, TransAthletica) and produced by Eliza Bone (Netflix, TikTok, Fenced), the series documents Lexi’s fight to return to the game she loves, and follows the social firestorm that forced her story into the national spotlight.
The first of three episodes is available now, released natively on Instagram and Tiktok through short-form episodes designed to reach audiences where the debate around trans athletes often plays out, online.
“Social media helped turn transgender inclusion in sport into a political flashpoint,” says Writer and Director Hannah McElhinney.
“So we’ve built this series for the same environment, with it designed to travel across algorithms and land in the feeds where this conversation is happening.”
The series is produced by Snack Drawer with principal production funding from Screen Australia, and features appearances from high-profile Australian sporting figures including Saraid Taylor, Ben Brown, Tracey Holmes, and Anneli Maley.
Lexi Rodgers says the documentary is about visibility, truth-telling, and healing:
“Elite sport is a highly politicised space, and transgender women in particular are often discouraged or excluded. I wanted to invite people into that experience from a human point of view.”
“By sharing my story, I hope to break down some of the barriers and misinformation in this space and remind people that transgender athletes are human beings. I’ve felt firsthand the toll it can take and I hope this documentary helps stop that harm from being repeated.”