ECB bans transgender players from competing in women's cricket
Transgender women banned from women's cricket in England and Wales
The
England and Wales Cricket Board
announced an immediate ban on transgender players from competing in women's and girls' cricket matches on Friday, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that excludes them from the legal definition of women. This decision came just a day after the Football Association implemented similar restrictions.
The
ECB
's decision was prompted by an updated legal position following the Supreme Court's ruling on April 15, which stemmed from a petition by campaign group "For Women Scotland" arguing that sex-based protections should only apply to people born female.
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"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," the ECB stated.
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"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."
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The ECB acknowledged the impact of this decision on transgender individuals while committing to provide support through their cricket network.
"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," the ECB said.
The English Football Association had previously announced that transgender women would be barred from women's football competition in England starting June 1.
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"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," the ECB added.
The ECB explained that while it promotes inclusivity in sports, the Supreme Court decision necessitated new rules for women's and girls' cricket.
"However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary."
The board emphasized that transgender women and girls can still participate in open and mixed cricket formats, ensuring continued opportunities for involvement in the sport.
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