(Cricket News) Transgender players who have experienced any form of male puberty will not be allowed to compete in international women’s games, regardless of whether they have had surgery or gender reassignment treatment, according to a major policy decision made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.
The ICC stated that it was making this decision to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players. Danielle McGahey became the first transgender player to feature in international cricket in September.
“The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process and are founded in science and aligned with the core principles developed during the review,” stated ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice in explaining the decision. “Although inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.”
“Since cricket will be an Olympic sport, it has to be governed by the Olympic guidelines. This gender issue is a huge one at global level. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has changed regulations and advised sports to implement regulations that are suitable for their sport, which is what we have done,” an ICC source said in response to a question about what motivated the ICC to make this change.
Notably, McGahey moved to Canada from Australia in February 2020 and began her social transition from a man to a woman in November 2020. She started her medical transition in May 2021. Cricket Canada said that McGahey was selected for the team as she fulfilled all ICC regulations.
The decision was made two months after Danielle McGahey of Canada became the first transgender cricket player to participate in an official international match when she featured in a Women’s T20 fixture against Brazil.
The regulations currently only apply to international women’s cricket. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), “each individual Member board determines what gender eligibility is at the domestic level, and local legislation may have an impact.”
Transgender athletes are prohibited from competing in elite women’s competitions in other sports, including swimming, cycling, athletics, rugby league, and rugby union.
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