Developing trans-athlete policy in Australian National Sport Organizations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the way Australian national sport organisations (NSOs) create, develop and implement their policies relevant to trans athletes. Representatives of nine NSOs were interviewed utilising in-depth semi-structured interviews. Four key themes emerged from the organisation spokespersons’ accounts: a) finding the right policy, b) underfunded and under resourced, c) challenges of educating employees and the public, and lastly, d) communication between NSOs and the trans athletic community. Findings revealed that only two NSOs reported had specific policies directed at trans athlete’s sport participation. Several NSOs indicated that they had plans to develop separate policies for the different levels of competition to assist trans athletes to participate in their sport as their identified gender. This is the first study to explore the perspective and views of NSOs on the participation of trans athletes in sport.

KEYWORDS:

• Policies
• procedures
• trans athlete
• athletic management
• policy implementation
• sport organisations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. This research project took place in Australia, therefore, the authors have used the preferred terminology provided by AusPATH for the term of trans and gender diverse.

2. Since the time of data collection, the AFL and Cricket Australia have subsequently released their policies regarding trans athletes in their sporting codes. This area is rapidly developing, with further changes to policies and practices across several sports. It is also important to note that although a policy is released does not mean it is inclusive, and the most current AFL policy (Australian Football League 2018), has been received public criticism from trans sport advocates.

3. Since the interview and publication, Cricket Australia did indeed engage with trans athletes, and developed a working group associated with the policy development, which included several trans and gender diverse athletes.

4. At the time of publication in 2021, eight Australian NSO’s released their trans inclusion policies together at a launch at the Sydney Cricket Ground (mostly aimed at community level participation) in late 2020, including Hockey Australia and Tennis Australia. Many other sports have also committed to improving polices and governance around the inclusion of trans and gender diverse people in sport.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.