The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a significant change in its policies, as transgender women will no longer be eligible to participate in women’s and girls’ cricket at any level in England and Wales. This decision follows a recent judgement by the UK Supreme Court, which clarified the legal definition of a woman in equalities law, and aligns with moves made by other sports like football and netball.
Previously, the ECB had already excluded transgender women from its elite competitions, in accordance with the International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines. The latest decision expands these restrictions to all levels of women’s cricket. As per the ECB’s new guidelines, “only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches.” However, transgender women and girls are still welcome to participate in open and mixed cricket formats.
While the ECB hasn’t disclosed how many individuals might be affected by this policy shift, the board has committed to working closely with those involved in recreational cricket to support those impacted. The ECB stated: “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 one’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.”
Acknowledging the potential consequences of their decision, the ECB expressed its intent to collaborate with Recreational Cricket Boards to provide support to those impacted. “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’s decision is part of broader considerations about balancing inclusivity while adhering to legal frameworks and competitive fairness in sport.
