MEMBERS of a junior netball club have slammed a VCAT decision to allow a 185-centimetre tall, 13-year-old boy interim permission to play in an all-girls' competition.

Despite Netball Victoria discouraging teams from speaking out, the coach, parents and players from one of the boy's rival teams, St Therese's of Essendon, say it would be a disaster if VCAT made the ruling permanent that boys can play in the 15 and under matches.

Players of St Therese's under-15 team are upset that they have to play against a 13-year-old boy who stands 185 centimetres tall. Credit:Jason South

They fear it would smash girls' confidence on court, and spell an end to girls having the choice to play in a team of their own gender. St Therese's head coach Dianne McCormack wrote to The Age saying it was not a personal comment on the boy, who plays for Banyule in the Parkville Netball association's 15 and under C Grade.

The boy and his father have taken Netball Victoria to VCAT, saying the boy was discriminated against under the Equal Opportunity Act. At a hearing on May 30, the application was adjourned to September and the boy was granted permission to play in the meantime.