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Seven votes the margin as RFU changes gender participation policy

(Photo by David Rogers/PA Images via Getty Images)

Rugby Football Union (RFU) council members have narrowly back a recommendation that will see transgender women banned from playing women’s rugby in England. The RFU “conducted an extensive review of its gender participation policy for English domestic contact rugby” and it resulted in a vote on Friday where 33 delegates voted in favour of the change, 26 voted against with two abstaining.   

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The transgender decision means that the RFU will only permit players in the female category if their sex originally recorded at birth is female. An RFU statement read: “Following an extensive RFU consultation, the RFU council has voted in favour of updating its gender participation policy for rugby in England from the start of the 2022/23 season with 33 in favour, 26 against and 2 abstaining.

“The RFU began a detailed review of its policy in autumn 2020. This included a game-wide survey receiving over 11,000 responses, extensive consultation with and listening to a wide range of independent experts as well as considering all available scientific evidence along with liaising with other sporting bodies.

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“The review and consultation concluded that detailed peer-reviewed research provides evidence that there are physical differences between those people whose sex originally recorded as male and those as female at birth, and advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by testosterone and male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression. 

“This science provides the basis of the new gender participation policy that concludes the inclusion of trans people originally recorded male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against considerations of safety and fairness.

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“The RFU council has determined that until such time as new further peer-reviewed science is available, a precautionary approach is appropriate to ensure fair competition and safety of all competitors. Therefore, the RFU council approved a policy change to only permit players in the female category if the sex originally recorded at birth is female. The RFU recognises this was a complex and difficult decision and the policy change was not taken lightly or without thorough and full research and consultation.  

RFU president Jeff Blackett said: “I would like to thank everyone for the passion, time and effort that has been put into consulting with us and informing this policy review. Inclusion is at the heart of rugby values and we will continue to work with everyone to keep listening, learning and finding ways to demonstrate there is a place for everyone in our game.

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“We know that many will be disappointed by this decision. However, it has been based on all the scientific evidence available. Our game can be strengthened by everyone who is involved; be it in coaching, refereeing, administration or supporting and playing non-contact forms of the game.”

The statement added: “The RFU also considered the merits of a case-by-case assessment process, but in light of the research findings and work of World Rugby and the UK Sports Councils, and given the difficulties in identifying a credible test to assess physiological variables, this is no longer a viable option at this time and does not necessarily ensure inclusion. 

“World Rugby has a dedicated funding stream for research in this area and the RFU will continue to work with World Rugby and other stakeholders in promoting research to continue. In the male category, players whose sex recorded at birth is female may play if they provide their written consent and a risk assessment is carried out.

“The RFU has contacted the registered trans women players, who the revised policy has a direct impact on, to offer its support in continuing to encourage them to participate in the sport. The RFU will continue to listen and review its policy on a regular basis and welcomes all new research on this subject to inform these reviews.”

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J
JW 8 minutes ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

It's as relevant as long as you want to make it relevant.


I think you need to take a step back and look at why it's there. That rule was put in place simply to ensure players knew where they stood when it comes to selection, it is a 'were not going to go to all the difficulty of including you if you leave' understanding, 'were not going to give one AB special treatment over any other'. It has only morphed into a concept of using it as a means to keep the game alive in NZ as an afterthought.


You also don't seem to understand who he is talking to. He's not saying players aren't able to be an international level without loyalty or sacrifice, he's addressing the public and telling them, 'look, you just have to accept you need to make a sacrifice to be an All Black, don't feel entitled in wanting to see Mo'unga playing before he returns to New Zealand' etc. As you suggest, we would not have the same view if the game here was in as perilous a position as South Africa's was.


Closing borders is historically a silly economic idea, why should it be any different in national level sports?

The current stance is actually the opposite of that. They are increasing the value of their domestic product in order to gain the most economic advantage globally.


If you want to actually analyze the concept, think about what SA is having to do and ask yourself whether it's worth it. For example, Mo'unga would only have a few weeks off a year if it was to both play in the NH and for the AB's, so that isn't obviously going to happen. He would most likely need to abstain from the Rugby Championship (being between the start and end of each of his club season) or parts of it, so the All Blacks wouldn't want to select him for the International window before that, as they want to give their 10 who will be playing in the RC time to hit peak performance, along with this team. I quite like the idea of having 3 to 5 'World' spots outside the team for players to come in for and they can be a part of the team helping the youngsters etc, it is still mainly a holiday for them but they can play in the case of an emergency etc.


Isn't it such a beautiful sport because of aspects like these Keith? Otherwise, wouldn't it be exactly like football as you suggest?

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