England Hockey Bans Biological Men From Women’s Competition

Stephanie Kershaw of Australia is challenged by Flora Peel of Great Britain during the FIH Pro League Women's match between Australia and Great Britain at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on June 12, 2024. David Rogers/Getty Images

England Hockey has announced that biological men who identify as transgender women will be banned from competing in the female category.

The sports governing body said on Wednesday it has reviewed its transgender participation policy and that owing to hockey being considered a “gender-affected sport,” the female category will be solely for biological women.

The statement said: “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 [...], we have determined that the Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy should restrict trans participation in order to secure fair competition.”

Changes will take place from the start of next season, Sept. 1, 2025, with there being the creation of a second “open category” for anyone who wants to join, including transgender people.

Unfair Advantage

England Hockey’s decision follows similar action by other sports bodies in recent years.

In December, the Lawn Tennis Association banned biological men from certain tennis and padel tournaments.

The association said at the time that it is “clear” that tennis and padel are “gender-affected sports,” saying that “the average man has an advantage when playing against the average woman.”

It added that the current consensus “is that this advantage is likely to be retained to a significant degree in trans women, making competition potentially unfair.”

Others, like the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board, have put prohibitions on biological men who have gone through puberty and identify as transgender women.

In August 2023, British Rowing announced that men who identify as transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in the women’s category.

Similarly, women who identify as transgender men or non-binary will only be allowed to compete in the women’s rowing category if they are not receiving masculinising hormone treatment.

Lia Thomas

The debate surrounding transgender athletes—specifically biological men—in gendered categories came to widespread public attention and scrutiny in 2022, when University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas won the women’s 500-yard freestyle race at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship.

Thomas, previously known as William Thomas, had previously competed in the men’s team at UPenn.

In March 2024, 16 former collegiate swimmers including Riley Gaines filed a lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing biological males to compete in women’s events.

“It’s official! I’m suing the NCAA along with 15 other collegiate athletes who have lost out on titles, records, & roster spots to men posing as women,” Gaines said at the time.