In today’s society it’s kind of hard to prevent anyone from being able to do something they love, especially if they feel like they are being discriminated against.
The situation gets cloudy when it becomes a gender issue and one that can’t be avoided.
The New York Daily News is reporting that a 17 year male from Yonkers High School is fighting for what he believes is his right to be the only male playing on the all-girl volleyball team.
Yonkers High School does not have a boys volleyball team and Jenson was removed from the team because he was deemed to strong.
“I didn’t ask for any of this,” the 17-year-old told CBS 2 News. “It was just given to me. An opportunity came I went for it. Now they’re taking it away, which I think is unfair.”
The New York High School Athletic League says Jenson playing is unfair because he did far better than the average girl on on a series of fitness test.
The School is appealing the ruling and says Jenson is apart of the team in their eyes.
“Not only physically, but emotionally as a team member,” James Rose, Athletics Director for Yonkers Public Schools, told Fox 5 News. “So I think it is very important for the team to play.”
The girls on the Yonkers High School volleyball team also want Jenson to play.
Yonkers Schools Superintendent says the district supports Jenson.
“We are in the business of nurturing potential and, therefore, are committed to providing equal opportunity and access to all of our student athletes,” Pierorazio said in a statement to the Daily News. “Jenson’s passion for the sport underlines the importance of our position and illustrates why the District, after appropriate evaluation, supports his desire to play on the team.”
Jenson Daniels hopes to play volleyball in college.