Concerned coaches and parents in the UK are sounding the alarm after a middle-aged transgender woman who transitioned from biological male was allowed to compete in cricket against girls as young as 12.
Several letters to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from parents have expressed concern that the player, whose identity and exact age has not been disclosed, has an unfair advantage over their girls having undergone male puberty, according to The Telegraph.
The player, who a coach said “hits the ball harder than anyone I’ve seen in the league,” reportedly accidentally injured people, including a referee and another player who hasn’t been able to play for months after the accident.
Cricket is a bat and ball game that emerged in England during the 16th century and is played for 11 players on a field.
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Several parents have expressed concern that allowing a biological male to play cricket with teenage girls is dangerous. (Jessie Casson via Getty Images/File)
One parent called the situation “unacceptable, uncomfortable and dangerous” and another parent of a 12-year-old girl is concerned that playing against the player in question will make the girls “give up cricket because they are so afraid of having to face bowling and field that might and might.”
“Many girls this age are just starting to play hard ball cricket, and one accident is enough to put them off the game,” the parent added.
Another parent expressed “real concerns” about the propriety of a biological male sharing changing spaces with teenage girls.
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Cricket is a bat and ball game that emerged in England during the 16th century and features 11 players. (Sergio Amiti via Getty Images/File)
Six top-class counties in the game have reportedly met with the ECB to ask it to clarify its transgender policies as soon as possible. Under current rules, “trans women can compete in any women-only competition, league, or match, and should be accepted in whatever gender they appear.”
“Transgender participation is a complex area,” an ECB spokesperson told The Telegraph. “In recreational cricket, player eligibility is based on their self-identified gender, with no medical requirements. However, in light of the UK Sports Council’s Equality Group (SCEG) guidelines, we are currently reviewing them. We will continue to consult with Sport England and other independent experts and will communicate any changes once this work is completed.”
A photo of a Pride Progress flag, which includes the colors of the Transgender Pride Flag. (Mike Kemp / In pictures via Getty Images)
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Fiona McAnena, director of sport for Fair Play for Women, praised the ECB for overhauling its policy towards transgender players.
“If they are to protect and promote women’s cricket, they have to protect the talent pathway. The only way is to create women’s teams for those born female and no one else,” McAnena told The Telegraph.
