In England and Wales, transgender females are no longer eligible to participate in women's cricket leagues
here's the rephrased article:
Breaking News: Transgender women get the boot from women's and girls' cricket in England and Wales
In a surprising move, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has declared a blanket ban on transgender women playing in women's and girls' cricket matches. The board revealed its new policy on Friday, just a day after the Football Association banned transgender athletes from women's soccer in England and Scotland.
As per the updated rules, only those with female biological sex are eligible to compete in female-only cricket competitions. However, transgender women can continue playing in open and mixed cricket matches. This decision follows the UK Supreme Court's recent ruling, which redefined a woman under anti-discrimination laws as someone born with female biological sex.
This new policy is a change from the previous restrictions, under which transgender women were already excluded from the top two tiers of elite women's cricket, but were allowed to play at lower levels, including recreational cricket.
The ECB's decision echoes the Football Association's recent ban on transgender women from women's football, while the Football Association of Wales has deferred its decision pending further guidance.
While some feminist groups have welcomed this move, trans-rights groups have criticized it, stating that it would have a detrimental impact on daily life. The issue has been a hot topic of debate in the UK and beyond, especially in the United States, where President Donald Trump has signed executive orders prohibiting the participation of transgender athletes in sports and adopting a rigid definition of the sexes for federal government purposes. These orders are currently under court challenge.
Across the globe, policies on transgender athletes in sports vary. While England and Wales are focusing on biological sex, other regions and sports are balancing eligibility with medical criteria. For instance, the NCAA and World Athletics allow transgender women to compete in women's divisions if they meet testosterone-level thresholds. However, state-level legislation, such as Florida's "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," has imposed stricter bans.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
(Note: The information provided in this article has been derived from a combination of the base article and enrichment data, with the aim of offering a comprehensive yet concise understanding of the topic.)
- The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has prohibited transgender women from participating in women's and girls' cricket matches, following a similar ban by the Football Association the day prior.
- In accordance with updated ECB policy, only those with female biological sex are now eligible for female-only cricket competitions.
- However, transgender women can still play in open and mixed cricket matches.
- This new policy, which aligns with a UK Supreme Court ruling, marks a shift from previous restrictions that only excluded transgender women from the top tiers of elite women's cricket.
- The ECB's decision mirrors the Football Association's ban on transgender women in women's football, while the Football Association of Wales is yet to make a decision.
- The issue has sparked controversy, with some feminist groups supporting the decision, while trans-rights groups argue it will negatively affect daily life.
- The debate has gained global attention, particularly in the United States, where President Donald Trump has taken steps to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in sports and to adopt a strict definition of the sexes for federal government purposes.
- Policies on transgender athletes in sports vary across the globe, with some regions balancing eligibility with medical criteria, such as the NCAA and World Athletics, while others, like Florida, have imposed stricter bans.
