ECB Updates Eligibility Policy for Transgender Athletes

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has introduced a new eligibility policy, aligning with the ICC’s 2023 guidelines, which will exclude transgender women who have undergone male puberty from competing in Tiers 1 and 2 of the women’s county cricket competition, as well as the women's Hundred.

In a statement, the ECB acknowledged that the topic of transgender participation is highly complex and that it is challenging to balance all considerations. However, they explained that concerns over player safety at the elite level influenced their decision to revise the policy.

This update comes ahead of the 2025 relaunch of women's domestic cricket and aligns cricket with other top UK sports like swimming, athletics, cycling, rugby league, and rugby union. Notably, the new policy will not apply to grassroots cricket or Tier 3 of the county competition, which will see teams from the ECB's national counties competing. Promotion and relegation for these teams will be introduced from 2029.

The ECB highlighted that significant thought went into crafting this policy, and while the subject evokes strong opinions, the board believes this decision strikes a balance between fairness at the professional level and inclusivity at the grassroots level. Safeguards have been implemented to manage disparities and ensure safety.

Previously, the ECB allowed any player identifying as female to compete in professional clubs and England's pathway teams if they had obtained written clearance. However, after a nine-month consultation, the ICC revised its eligibility rules in November 2023, focusing on the integrity, safety, and fairness of the women’s game.

One notable player affected by these changes was Canada's Danielle McGahey, who competed in the ICC Women’s T20 Americas Qualifier in 2023 but later announced that her career had come to an end due to the new regulations.

The ECB concluded by stating that after considering various viewpoints, scientific studies, and medical evidence, they decided to adopt the ICC's approach for domestic women's cricket starting in 2025. The policy will apply to Tiers 1 and 2 and the women's Hundred, with further details to be finalised in consultation with stakeholders in the coming months.