Transgender women have been blocked from taking part in all levels of women’s cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board has declared.
The updated transgender regulations by the sporting body specify that only individuals whose biological sex is female will be allowed to participate in cricket.
Trans women will be barred from competing in the sport with immediate effect.
However, the ECB has stated trans women and girls can continue to participate in the sport when playing in open and mixed categories.
The change in regulations comes shortly after the UK Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of women was based on biological sex.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated that their objective has always been to maintain inclusivity in recreational cricket.
‘These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone’s gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players.
‘However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary.’
Transgender women have been blocked from taking part in all levels of women’s cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board has declared
Women’s rights groups celebrated the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman by opening a champagne bottle on April 16. The image shows Susan Smith, Marion Calder, and Helen Joyce.
Transgender news reader India Willoughby blasted the English FA’s action yesterday as ‘full-blown trans apartheid’ and ‘absolutely insane’ after they banned transgender women from the female category of the sport
The sporting body also said that discrimination had ‘no place’ in the sport, as they vowed to make sure cricket is ‘played in a spirit of respect and inclusivity’.
The ECB added: ‘We acknowledge that this decision will have a significant impact on transgender women and girls.
‘We will work with Recreational Cricket Boards to support people impacted by this change in our regulations.
‘We await updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and will study this carefully.’
Their 2024 transgender policy regulations stated that any individual who had gone through male puberty could not participate in the top two tiers of the women’s sport.
As such, the previous policy permitted transgender women to take part in the third tier of the game on British soil.
In November 2023 the International Cricket Council also declared transgender women who had experience male puberty were banned from taking part in international women’s matches.
It comes after five Supreme Court justices unanimously decided that ‘the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a ‘biological woman and biological sex’ on April 16.
For Women Scotland directors Susan Smith (left) and Marion Calder (right) celebrate the landmark ruling on April 16
Marion Calder (centre), Helen Joyce (centre left) and Maya Forstater (left) celebrate outside the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has announced that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex in a landmark ruling (pictured: Campaign group For Women Scotland celebrating the judgement)
In an 88-page ruling, the justices said: ‘The definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010 makes clear that the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man.’
The decision could have far-reaching implications on how sex-based rights apply, including how women-only spaces are allowed to operate.
More recently, the English Football Association also announced transgender women would be barred from playing in women’s football from June 1.
Critics including India Willoughby and Stonewall FC went on to denounced the English FA’s ruling to ban trans players from women’s football as ‘unjustified and unfair’.
The move sparked fury from trans activists, who say the move sends a ‘harmful message’ and ‘risks legitimising discrimination’.
Transgender news reader Ms Willoughby blasted the action as ‘full-blown trans apartheid’ and ‘absolutely insane’.
She said: ‘This is crazy, absolutely insane. Trans people haven’t done anything yet we’re being stigmatized and demonized in such a horrible way. This is full-blown trans apartheid.’
She added: ‘How are trans people now expected to lead a normal life in society? This football ban is unfair – and totally unjustified.’
Stonewall FC, an LGBTQ+ orientated football team started in 1991 and based in East London, said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the decision.
When they were founded, the London FA reportedly said: ‘We don’t pay any attention to a team’s race, creed, religion or private life – so long as they can play football.’
Issuing a statement, they said: ‘The policy change sends a harmful message to trans players across the country – players who simply want to be part of the game they love, in the gender they live and identify as.
‘We recognise the pain and frustration this ruling will cause, and we stand in unwavering solidarity with our trans and non-binary teammates, opponents, friends and supporters.’
The sports team added: ‘Trans rights are human rights. That includes the right to play, to belong and to thrive in sport.
Stonewall FC, an LGBTQ+ orientated football team (pictured) started in 1991 and based in East London, said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the decision
TRUK United FC (pictured) – who describe themselves as ‘a trans Femme team and trans masc & non binary team with a trans referee’ – said they were ‘deeply disappointed and outraged’ by the FA’s news
When Stonewall FC was founded, the London FA reportedly said: ‘We don’t pay any attention to a team’s race, creed, religion or private life – so long as they can play football.’
‘While we understand the complexities the FA cites, we believe any policy change that denies people access to the pitch is a step backwards.’
One trans player, who received an email from the FA saying she could no longer play, revealed she was offered six sessions of ‘online talking therapy’.
She was then told: ‘You might be willing to consider moving your enjoyment of affiliated football into coaching or being a match official.’
Fae Fulconis, who played for Clapton CFC women’s team, told Metro: ‘Obviously, the first feelings that came was pain, sadness, and finally anger – fuelling a desire for change.
‘The FA’s ruling is wrong, hypocritical, and a return to the dark ages when women’s football was mistreated or even banned.’
The FA also said that they were piloting a format of mixed football, which they hoped she would become involved in.
The governing body’s transgender inclusion policy had been updated prior to the Supreme Court ruling in London on April 16, and continued to allow transgender women to play in women’s football provided they reduced testosterone levels.
Those police changes gave the FA ultimate discretion on permitting a trans woman to play, with consideration given to safety and fairness issues.
Chelsea FC’s official LGBTQ+ community group took to social media to say: ‘We at Chelsea Pride condemn the Football Association’s ban on transgender women in women’s football’
Women’s football outlet The Women’s Game further condemned the body, saying: ‘In a stunning show of cowardice and cruelty, the English FA has announced trans women will be barred from soccer at any FA level’
But now the body has been attacked for its slogan ‘For All’, with campaigners branding it a ‘cruel irony’.
An FA spokesperson said: ‘We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify.
‘We are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.’
They added: ‘As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA and FIFA.
‘Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.
‘This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary.
‘The Supreme Court’s ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.’
The FA – which is the governing body for football in England, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man – had said earlier this week that it was ‘carefully reviewing’ its policy.
The Scottish Football Association has also now updated its policy to reflect that only biological females can play in competitive female football from the start of the 2025-26 season.
Only a small number of transgender women – around 20 – have been able to play in the grassroots game this season.
Former FA chairman Lord Triesman told The Telegraph at the time of the ruling: ‘The pitiful excuses of some sports bodies, and especially the FA, have been shown to be unlawful.
Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman (above) said at the time of the ruling: ‘The pitiful excuses of some sports bodies, and especially the FA, have been shown to be unlawful’
‘Women’s sport, as in all else, is defined by biology facts. There is no room for alternative propositions and the bodies concerned must reform and comply with the law at once or certainly face constant legal challenges.’
Other sports have followed suit after the FA changed their police, with England Netball also changing its guidelines barring trans women from playing in women’s games.
Their new policy, which comes into effect from September 1, states the sport will have three separate gender categories – female, mixed and male.
The Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) – which represents professional eight-ball pool – also blocked trans women from competing in its female category in March.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) are said to be rethinking their transgender eligibility guidelines, according to the BBC.
British Triathlon benned transgender women from competing in its female events in 2022.
However the sporting body became the first on British soil to create an open category where transgender people can take part.
This is a breaking news story, Updates to follow.
