Transgender women will no longer be able to play in competitive women’s and girl’s cricket in Wales. The change of policy from the England and Wales Cricket Board comes into force with immediate effect.
Trans women have been banned from the top two tiers of elite women’s cricket since the start of this year, but had been permitted to compete in the women’s game up to and including tier three of the domestic game and throughout recreational cricket. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has now extended its policy in light of a UK Supreme Court ruling handed down last month.
The ruling said that only biological and not trans women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws.
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Over a thousand campaigners took to the streets of Cardiff on April 21 to protest against the Supreme Court ruling. You can read more about what people had to say at the march here.
The ECB acknowledged that their decision would have a “significant impact” on transgender women and girls.
The change from the sport’s governing body was officially approved at a board meeting on Friday. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The ECB said in a statement: “With immediate effect, only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches. Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket.
“Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible.
“These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone’s gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players. However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary.
“We acknowledge that this decision will have a significant impact on transgender women and girls. We will work with Recreational Cricket Boards to support people impacted by this change in our regulations.
“We await updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and will study this carefully.
“We maintain that abuse or discrimination has no place in our sport and are committed to ensuring that cricket is played in a spirit of respect and inclusivity.”
It comes after the English and Scottish football associations announced new policies banning trans women from female competition on Thursday.
On April 16 the UK Supreme Court issued clarification regarding terms used in the 2010 Equality Act. Within that clarification, it said that Section 195 of the Act, which permits the lawful exclusion of athletes from gender-affected sports based on sex, was “plainly predicated on biological sex”.
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