New South Wales Swifts netballer Samantha Wallace-Joseph has apologised for a social media post that caused hurt to members of the transgender community, saying it was “taken out of context”.

The Trinidad and Tobago shooter shared an Instagram post suggesting US president Joe Biden had declared Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility, even though it was a coincidence both fell on the same date this year.

She added a comment saying “the disrespect is crazy. Don’t play with God.”

Following widespread criticism, the 30-year-old met with club officials and issued a joint statement on Tuesday.

“It was not my intention to upset and disrespect anybody and whilst I feel my post was taken out of context, I didn’t say what I meant clearly,” she said.

“I did not wish to cause any offence to members of the transgender community, and it is clear that I have and for that, I am sorry.”

Swifts executive general manager Kath Tetley said the club wanted to be “a safe and inclusive space for all”.

“We are also committed to the ongoing education required to ensure there is a common understanding among all of the cultures and communities that make up the Swifts,” she said.

Proud2Play and the Swifts collaborated on a Pride-themed match during Super Netball’s first Inclusion Round last year.

Chief executive of Proud2Play, Christine Granger, told ABC Sport the comments were harmful towards a community that already suffered “extreme” levels of discrimination.

“It is vital that role models in sports understand the power their voices hold and the impact they can have on individuals and communities in both a positive and negative way,” she said.

The shooter’s comments came after attacks on Biden from former president Donald Trump and Republican allies.

A White House spokesperson said on Monday Republicans who spent the weekend criticising the president “are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric”.

Netball Australia is currently assessing Wallace-Joseph’s post under its code of conduct.

The shooter was the Swifts’ leading goalscorer in 2021 but injured her knee the following season, forcing her to spend more than a year on the sidelines.

The Swifts play the Giants in a pre-season match on Wednesday, before the Super Netball season commences on 13 April.