RFU Speaks On Banning Transgender Women From Female Rugby Football

The Rugby Football Union has advocated against transgender women participating in competitions for women.

The decision was made after a two-year evaluation, and if the RFU Council approves it, the new policy might be implemented before the 2022–23 season.

The Organisation said in a statement, “The RFU council will vote on a recommendation for a policy change for contact rugby to only permit players in the female category whose sex recorded at birth was female.

“This is a complex and difficult decision and the recommendation has not been made lightly or without thorough and full research and consultation.

“The RFU has contacted registered trans female players, on whom the policy will have a direct impact to offer its support in continuing to encourage them to participate in the sport.”

The English governing body had been allowing certain transgender women to play women’s rugby under the current regulation, in specific scenarios.

However, English rugby has since reversed its position, claiming that research shows that male puberty causes “physical differences” and “advantages in strength, stamina, and physique.”

Therefore, they said that the decision was made because “the inclusion of trans people assigned male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against considerations of safety and fairness.”

Boys and girls will not be impacted by the decision and can continue to play in their present teams until they are 12 years old.

Rugby union, however, would follow in the footsteps of the triathlon, which last month became the first British sport to forbid all transgender women from competing in female races at both the top and grassroots levels, should the decision be officially maintained.

The elite women’s competition is off-limits to competitors who have gone through any stage of male puberty, according to the international swimming association FINA.