Cricket Australia Announces New Transgender Policy

In it’s first, Cricket Australia has announced a new policy for Transgenders in the game of cricket. Cricket Australia has announced plans for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in elite and community cricket. CA announced the plans on Thursday after beginning discussions with key stakeholders last October.

Read More – BCCI forces Cricket Australia to rejig Schedule

It is a policy that secures transgender and gender-diverse people can play cricket at the highest level in Australia. The new policy has been announced by the sport’s national governing body. The respective board has developed an elite-level policy, as well as guidelines for community cricket, to support players competing in line with their gender identity, whether or not this aligns with the sex they are born with.

The CA policy adjusts with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Qualification on the Basis of Gender Recognition and provides transgender and gender diverse cricketers guidance on how they can compete at the highest levels of the sport, consistent with their gender identity.

Discrimination has no place – Cricket Australia’s Roberts

According to the release, there will be an expert panel to ensure “fair and meaningful” competition, with measures in place to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment, free of harassment and discrimination for gender diverse players at the game’s grassroots.”

“Discrimination of any sort has no place in the game,” Roberts said. “Our dedication to a fair and inclusive sport across international and domestic competitions sees the policy strike a balance between the opportunity to participate and ensuring fair competition.”

I am confident of its success – Megan Schutt

Meanwhile, Australian cricketer Megan Schutt welcomed the policy announcement and said inclusion mattered “in every sense.” She believes that it is a great move taken by Cricket Australia.

“Now that we know that anyone who is transgender or gender diverse has a chance to play cricket at the highest level. Rightfully so. And also, I’m confident that the elite cricket policy will provide a fair process for transgender and gender diverse cricketers to embark on that pathway,” she said.

Further, it is learnt that the policy will be revisited and evaluated every 12 months. Especially, to ensure the levels are consistent with the latest medical findings. All in all, it is a historic move taken by the respective board.