News

IRL concludes consultation about transgender participation

Published by IRL
05 Mar 2021

Following a consultation on transgender participation in women’s rugby league, International Rugby League (IRL) has confirmed three outcomes. One, that it will not change its current rules on transgender participation prior to this year’s Women’s Rugby League World Cup; two, that it will use the world cup to collect data in order to inform policy development; and three, that it will adopt a comprehensive Inclusion Policy in 2022, following further research.

The consultation was launched following an enquiry by three IRL member nations, all finalists at the women’s world cup, into the practical application of the current IRL rules governing transgender participation, which are based upon International Olympic Committee guidelines.

The comprehensive three-month process involved a study of peer-reviewed academic research and recent transgender policy trends in international sport; a survey of the 15 member nations that have played women’s international rugby league, the international level athletes of those 15 nations, and the IRL’s Women and Girls Advisory Group. IRL also consulted with five leading LGBTIQ+ in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The federation considered the balance between inclusion, fairness and safety, the available data and opinions from within the sport and concluded that there is no need for a precipitous change to the current rules at this stage.

“The importance of ensuring that we take a considered approach is important to the vision of the international women and girls strategy,” said Julia Lee, independent Chair of the IRL Women and Girls Advisory Group. “We want to offer opportunities for all women and girls, identifying and removing potential barriers. The IRL’s comprehensive approach and actions is to be applauded and demonstrates its commitment to equity and equality in rugby league.”

Lou Englefield, Director of Pride Sports, on behalf of the UK's LGBTIQ+ Sport and Physical Activity Alliance, said: “We commend International Rugby League for engaging with communities affected by its policies and for taking a considered and thorough approach to any policy change. We hope that engagement with those impacted will continue as the federation seeks to develop a bespoke policy going forward.”

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