Girl Expelled From Kenliworth Catholic School For Suing To Play on Boys Team

KENILWORTH, NJ — St. Theresa's School in Kenilworth has expelled the basketball player and seventh grade girl who was suing the school to play on the boys basketball team.

“If a parent implicates St. Theresa School in a legal matter, or names St. Theresa School as a defendant in a civil matter, the parent/guardian will be requested to remove their children immediately from the school," John Goodness, a spokesperson for the Archdioese of Newark said.

Sydney Phillips and her sister Kaitlyn were both kicked out as a result of the lawsuit started by the family against the school.

• See Related: Girl Sues To Play On Kenliworth School's Boys Basketball Team

Sydney played on the girls basketball team last year and was even picked as an all-star player. But the school ended up dismantling the girls program in October due to lack of interest. Sydney then asked to join the boy's team and was denied, according to nj.com.

Taking this to the next level, Sydney's father, Scott filed a lawsuit against the school and the Archdiocese of Newark — not for money but to allow Sydney to play on the seventh-grade boys team. Sydney would like to continue playing into high school and college.

The suit was heard in court on Jan. 5 but was reject by Superior Court Judge Donald A. Kessler, who said there was no legal foundation for the girl's right to play basketball, according to nj.com.

(Image via Morguefile)

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