An inclusive Liverpool-based rugby team have claimed the sport is no longer “for all” after transgender women were banned from playing.
Liverpool Tritons said the transgender community have been “failed” following the recent approval of a policy which sees only players whose sex is “originally recorded at birth as female” being able to participate in the female category of the sport. The new gender participation policy states that players in all contact rugby league, from U12s and above, will “only be permitted to play in the gender category of the sex that was originally recorded at birth". It comes into effect after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council and Rugby Football League (RFL) boards voted in favour of updating their gender participation policy in England from the start of the 2022/23 season with 33 in favour, 26 against and two abstaining.
The RFL said the new policy "reflects both the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, which defines rugby league as a 'gender-affected activity', and significant developments in this area over the last two years.” RFU President, HH Jeff Blackett, added: "Inclusion is at the heart of rugby values and we will continue to work with everyone to keep listening, learning and finding ways to demonstrate there is a place for everyone in our game. We know that many will be disappointed by this decision however, it has been based on all the scientific evidence available."
