Rugby: World Rugby moves to exclude transgender women from elite competitions

World Rugby has become the first global sports federation to recommend that transgender women not participate at the elite and international levels of women’s play.

The organization released a statement on Saturday that, while it does not strictly prohibit their inclusion in elite teams, recommended that they be excluded “for security reasons.”

However, national unions have been allowed to make their own political decisions at the community level of the game, while transgender men are allowed to play male contact rugby in all its forms.

The organization’s new policy comes after what it describes as a “comprehensive, collaborative and inclusive review” of the existing guidance that concluded that “safety and equity cannot currently be guaranteed for women who compete against trans women in the contact rugby “.

He added that he was committed to “periodically reviewing the guide to monitor and consider any new evidence or research.”

“This has been a complex and emotional process, but a necessary one,” said Dr. Araba Chintoh, who chaired the review.

“We set out to determine whether it would be possible to maintain inclusion in contact rugby based on available research and evidence and the unique rugby context of combining strength, power, speed and endurance in a physical collision environment.

“As we progressed through a comprehensive and inclusive review, it became clear that there are obvious and compelling security considerations that we simply cannot ignore.

“Unions will be able to exercise flexibility on a case-by-case basis at the community level of the game, for which unions are responsible, while World Rugby will continue to prioritize inclusion strategies to ensure that the trans community remains an active, welcome and important member of the rugby family.” .

World Rugby President Sir Bill Beaumont added: “Rugby is a welcoming and inclusive sport and while it has been a difficult decision to make, it was made after extensive consultation and participation and for the right reasons given the risk of injury.

“That being said, we recognize that science continues to evolve and we are committed to regularly reviewing these guidelines, always seeking to be inclusive.”

World Rugby’s previous transgender policy followed the policy of the International Olympic Committee, which currently states that transgender women must suppress testosterone levels for at least 12 months prior to competition.