The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a new policy banning trans women from participating in women’s and girls’ cricket at all levels — a move described as “devastating” by trans athletes and advocates.
The decision follows a recent UK Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act, which concluded that the legal definition of “sex” refers solely to biological sex, effectively excluding trans women from the legal category of women.
ECB’s Updated Policy
In an official statement, the ECB confirmed that from now on, only those assigned female at birth will be eligible to play in women’s and girls’ cricket. However, trans women and girls are still allowed to participate in open and mixed-gender cricket formats.
“Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible,” the ECB said, citing the Supreme Court ruling as the reason behind the policy shift.
“We believe the changes announced today are necessary.”
The board acknowledged the decision would significantly impact trans athletes and promised to work with local cricket organisations to support those affected.
A Widening Impact
The ECB’s decision comes just weeks after the Supreme Court’s 15 April judgment. Since then, organisations such as Barclays, the Football Association, and the Scottish FA have begun restricting trans women from female-only facilities and competitions, citing the court’s interpretation.
Danielle McGahey Ribeiro: “We Do Belong in Cricket”
Trans cricketer Danielle McGahey Ribeiro, the first trans woman to compete in international cricket, spoke out passionately against the ban in an interview with PinkNews.
“It is a cruel, inhumane act of exclusion that I condemn in the strongest possible terms,” McGahey Ribeiro said.
“To ban trans women and girls from the sport we love is not just discrimination, it robs people of the joy and belonging that comes when you’re part of a cricketing community.”
She continued:
“This policy tells us that we do not belong, and that is just wrong. We do belong. We belong in cricket at every level, from grassroots up to international.”
Calling the decision a “shameful step backwards,” McGahey Ribeiro urged the ECB to listen to trans voices and live up to its commitments to fairness and inclusivity.
“No one transitions just to play cricket,” she said. “Your act today is deeply harmful for our community, and I will not stand for it.”
