Transgender women have been banned from participating in women’s and girls’ cricket in England and Wales, following a policy change announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday.
The ECB’s decision comes after last month’s UK Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act, which determined that the legal definition of a “woman” is based on a person’s sex at birth, excluding transgender women who hold a gender recognition certificate.
This move follows similar actions by the English and Scottish Football Associations, which also announced on Thursday that transgender women would be barred from competing in women’s football.
While transgender women were previously allowed to compete in tier three of the domestic game and in recreational cricket, the ECB has now restricted participation across all women’s and girls’ cricket, effective immediately.
The ECB stated: “Only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s and girls’ cricket matches. Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket.”
The ECB reiterated that its regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed to be as inclusive as possible, with measures to manage disparities and ensure the enjoyment of all players.
In light of the Supreme Court ruling, the ECB acknowledged the “significant impact” of the new policy on transgender women and girls but emphasized its commitment to respect and inclusivity in the sport.
The issue of transgender participation in sports has become a contentious topic, with various international governing bodies, including in cycling, swimming, and athletics, tightening policies to restrict transgender athletes.
In related news, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February that seeks to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
AFP
