ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Saturday Jul 30, 2022

RFU make decision on transgender players in women's rugby

On Friday 29th July, the RFU voted on the future of transgender women in the game after a two year review had suggested the decision be put to vote.

Before the vote occured, the RFU recommended a ban on transgender women due to safety concerns.

ADVERTISEMENT

They said “(There is) evidence that there are physical differences between those people whose sex was assigned as male and those as female at birth, and advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression.”

“This science provides the basis of the recommendation that the inclusion of trans people assigned male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against considerations of safety and fairness.”

The outcome of the vote has now been released and the RFU and RFL have banned transgender women from playing women’s rugby. 

This means that transgender women will not be able to play women’s rugby league or rugby union.

The new policy will come into action for the 2022/2023 season, and the votes were 33 in favour of the ban, 26 against and 2 abstaining.

The RFU said the decision was made for safety reasons and ‘The inclusion of trans people originally recorded male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced’.

They have also stated that players in women’s rugby can only participate if their gender originally recorded at birth was female.

The decision has caused huge debate within the rugby community.

ADVERTISEMENT

Transgender rugby player Alex Fitzgerald shared her concerns over how she could be excluded from the game of rugby as a whole.

Former England and Bristol prop Sasha Acheson has been equally against the ruling.

ADVERTISEMENT

In contrast, sports journalist Sophie Corcoran has welcomed the decision.

As has ex England fly half Andy Goode who was calling for the ban before the announcement was made.

 

 

Comments




Related Articles

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    Exeter Chiefs to re-brand stadium bars amid...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Julian Savea breaks Super Rugby record as he dives over for 61st try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    130m 'Try of the Decade' breaks the rugby internet

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen proves once again that he is a hero in Ireland

View All

Amateur

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Lynagh straight into international rugby

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Young star set to make first test start for England

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jamie Heaslip Exclusive: Respectfully...Ireland fear no one

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Opinion: The England fly half debate

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's Dream Six Nations Sevens Team

View All