England Hockey bans transgender women from female category

England Hockey has announced it will ban transgender women from competing in the female category from the start of next season.

As part of its new transgender and non-binary participation policy, the governing body has established two categories of competitions – female and open – with the latter “open to all”, including transgender and non-binary players.

England Hockey launched a review into its current policy in July 2023, taking into account guidance from the Sports Councils’ Equality Group (SCEG).

“Based on the current available evidence – and that hockey requires the physical capabilities of strength, endurance, speed and acceleration as key factors for success – hockey is considered a gender-affected sport,” England Hockey said.

“Based on this evidence, we have determined that the Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy should restrict trans participation in order to secure fair competition. We are committed to supporting all affected players to ensure they find the right path for them to continue to participate in hockey.”

The new policy will come into effect from 1 September.

England Hockey said the update in policy has been developed to “ensure everyone can participate in the playing of hockey in a fair way”.

In December, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) changed its rules to ban transgender women from competing in some female domestic tennis and padel tournaments in Britain.

The LPGA Golf Tour also announced last month that transgender women who have gone through male puberty would no longer be allowed to compete on leading golf tours.

That followed the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision in November to make any player who has gone through male puberty ineligible to play in the top two tiers of the women’s game from 2025.

Other sports governing bodies have also changed their policies in recent years – including athletics, cycling and swimming – to ban transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s competitions.