The Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union have banned transgender females from participating in female-only forms.
The RFL Board approved its new policy that will take effect in August.
Friday’s vote by the RFU council saw it pass its new policy in 2022-23. It was passed with “33 for, 26 against, two abstaining”
About 30 protestors assembled at Twickenham Stadium, the headquarters of RFU, before the vote.
The RFL’s latest “Gender Participation Policy”, applies to contact rugby league starting at Under-12s or above.
What has the RFU to say?
The RFU is England’s governing body for the union code. had previously recommended a ban.
Friday’s council policy stated that female players will be allowed to play if their sex was recorded at birth.
“The RFU Council has decided that, until further peer-reviewed scientific evidence is available, a precautionary approach will be appropriate to ensure fair competition” said a statement.
These are the next steps World Rugby’s stance – Which in 2020 was the first international sport federation to declare that transgender women could not compete at the elite and global level of women’s sports.
Twickenham Stadium was host to a group of protestors on Friday, in support of the trans community.
The RFU initiated a review over its current policy in autumn 2020. It included a gamewide survey that had more than 11,000 responses. Scientific evidence was considered and guidance was sought from other sporting organizations.
The RFU stated that “This science is the basis for the new gender participation policy which concludes the inclusion trans people initially recorded male at birth in female touch rugby cannot be balanced against safety and fairness.”
The policy change was a complicated and difficult decision that required extensive research and consultation.
Jeff Blackett, president of the RFU, stated that while many people will be disappointed by this decision it was based on all scientific evidence.
Everybody can contribute to the improvement of our game.
Although the RFU stated that there had been discussions about evaluating a case by case system, it said that “in light of the research findings, work of World Rugby, UK Sports Councils, as well as the difficulties in identifying credible tests to assess physiological variables, this option is not viable at the moment and does not necessarily guarantee inclusion.”
RFU stated that players who have had sex at birth with a female can play in the male category if they give their written consent and undergo a risk assessment.
The governing body also reached out to transgender female players in England to offer support and continue to encourage them to take part in the sport.
RFU also stated it will continue its research. RFU committed to working with World Rugby, UK Sports Councils and other research institutions to ensure that further research is done and that the policy is reviewed on a regular basis.
What has the RFL actually said?
The governing body of English rugby league said Only female players can participate in the female-only category of contact sport starting at 12 years old and up.
This is in response to the ban on “males-to-female, transwomen” players. women’s international rugby league.
RFL stated that it will conduct a second review of its policies “by November 2024” and added:[We are] It is committed to providing support and opportunities for everyone to participate in the sport.
“However it is essential that all participants have safe and fair opportunities to play. In order to ensure safety and fairness, it is important that the eligibility criteria be considered when determining eligibility.
Certain eligibility requirements will be in place for male categories to ensure that transgender individuals who wish to participate in male contact Rugby League will have the necessary experience and competence.
Touch, tag, X-League and learning disability rugby league remain mixed-gendered.
What other sports have you played?
Fina, the world’s swimming governing body, was inaugurated in June voted to stop transgender athletes They are not allowed to compete for women’s elite race if they have experienced any part of male puberty.
British Triathlon became the first British sport body to be established a few weeks later. establish a new ‘open’ category There are several sports in which transgender athletes may compete.
The UCI, cycling’s governing body has recently been established. toughened its rules Information about transgender eligibility
Nadine Dorries is the UK’s culture secretary. met with the heads of UK sporting bodies And told them that women who were born into female sex must have the right to “elite, competitive women’s sports”.