- Governance
Update on trans and non-binary participation policy
In July 2023, we announced that England Hockey is reviewing the transgender policy for participation in the sport and today we are launching the new policy and guidance that will come into effect from 1 September 2025.
England Hockey has had a trans participation policy in place since 2012, which was then reviewed in 2017. The Sports Councils’ Equality Group (SCEG) Guidance was launched in 2021 and since then we’ve taken the time to review our policy taking this guidance into consideration. England Hockey recognises that this is an evolving landscape of both policy and research, and that societal attitudes are ever-changing.
After a comprehensive review, and considering the SCEG guidance, there has been a change in the England Hockey trans participation policy position.
Based on the current available evidence, and that hockey requires the physical capabilities of strength, endurance, speed and acceleration as key factors for success, hockey is considered a gender-affected sport. Based on this evidence (which can be found in the policy), we have determined that the Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy should restrict trans participation in order to secure fair competition. We are committed to supporting all affected players to ensure they find the right path for them to continue to participate in hockey.
The new Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy has been developed to ensure everyone can participate in the playing of hockey in a fair way. To enable this, England Hockey has created two categories of competition within hockey – a Female category and an Open category.
It is essential that all those involved in hockey recognise and understand these changes. To support this, we have developed guidance to support the policy which can be found here.
The revised Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy will come into effect from the start of the 2025/26 hockey season on 1 September 2025. At such a time that this policy comes into effect, it will replace the old policy and guidance.
For avoidance of doubt, until 31 August 2025, our current policy remains in place across the sport in England.
For more information, please contact trans.policy@englandhockey.co.uk
Useful links: