British Wheelchair Basketball is committed to enabling a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment across our sport.
Our values – pride, grit, united and drive – are considered in the execution and interpretation of all BWB policies and governance. These policies support the delivery of world-class governance across the sport and enable the realisation of our commitment to safely and inclusively engage with all participants.
BWB is committed to equality in terms of opportunity and access to the sport. It is BWB’s responsibility to ensure that a fair and safe environment is available for all participants.
The purpose of the Trans Athlete Policy is to provide a clear set of principles for the regulation of athletes within the sport, ensuring fair play is maintained throughout. This policy will outline the processes for athletes who identify as trans or non-binary. This will ensure that BWB’s trans athlete process is robust and conducted in an open and transparent environment, with the athletes’ welfare front and centre.
This policy has been developed in consultation with members and external experts, as well as using Guidance issued by the five Sport Councils responsible for supporting and investing in sport across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See our FAQ below for further information.
FAQ
How have you developed your trans athlete policy?
The Trans Athlete Policy has been developed through consultation with members and external experts as well as using Guidance, published in September 2021, that has been issued by the five Sport Councils responsible for supporting and investing in sport across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Guidance for Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport – Resources (equalityinsport.org)
Who produced the Guidance document you used for trans athlete inclusion in domestic sport?
The Guidance was developed by the five Sport Councils responsible for supporting and investing in sport across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
When will you review your policy?
As an NGB we are very vocal about our commitment to delivering an inclusive sport and we continuously review our policies to support this. We will review the policy annually, in line with the publication of our league and competition rules and if new guidance/information becomes available on this topic.
What is your national competition structure and what is linked to your talent pathway?
Our National League is a co-ed structure with the exception of our Women’s League and Women’s Premier League. The Women’s Premier League has been formed as an elite competition pathway to develop female talent for GBR representation.
How long have women and juniors received an on-court points advantage on court?
This has been in place across the National League for over 10 years and is a common practice in classification of the sport across the world with domestic leagues.
Do you have any gender specific competitions?
Women’s League and the Women’s Premier League are female specific competitions. As detailed above, the Women’s Premier League is a conduit for female athlete development into the GBR performance programme and focuses on the elite aspect of the game.
What competition do you have that is open category?
The National League and Junior League are open category competitions. Local leagues can choose a structure that works for the needs of their members.
What is the IWBF’s policy for trans athletes?
IWBF doesn’t currently have a transgender policy but defaults to sex at birth for competitions. At international level the sport is not played in a open category format.
What is the IPC’s policy on trans athletes?
The IPC does not currently have a transgender policy.
What other international pathways are open to trans participants outside of the playing e.g refereeing, officials, game commissioners, coaching?
Participants from all backgrounds are welcomed as officials and coaches within the sport and there are no limitations on the levels of progression to dependent on meeting education and training requirements.
How many transgender and non-binary athletes are currently a part of your membership?
In the 21-22 season five participants identified as non-binary, five participants identified as trans male and one participant identified as trans female, out of a membership of over 3000.
What competition is open to me as transgender male?
The National League and Junior League.
Do I receive a point on court advantage within national league, as my sex at birth was female?
No, the team classification total would not increase when an athlete enters the court.
How will my identity be displayed on my player card?
Your self-identification, and sex at birth for table officials to be able to administration classification points on court. This can be shown to the table ahead of the tip off on your phone and ask that your card is not printed off.
What competition is open to me as transgender female?
The National League and Junior League.
Can I play in ‘women’s league’ and ‘women’s premier league’, as a transgender woman?
No, trans women are not eligible to compete in female specific competition.
Do I receive a point on court advantage within national league, as my sex at birth was male, as a transgender female?
No, the team classification total would not increase when the athlete enters the court.
How will my identity be displayed on my player card?
Your self-identification, and sex at birth for table officials to be able to administration classification points on court. This can be shown to the table ahead of the tip off on your phone and ask that your card is not printed off.
What competition is open to me as a non-binary – female sex at birth?
The National League, Women’s Premier League, Women’s League and Junior League.
Can I compete in female category competition?
Yes, non-binary athletes whose sex at birth is female are eligible to compete in female specific competition.
Do I receive a point on court advantage within national league, as my sex at birth was female?
The team classification total would increase in line with the regulations for female and junior players specific to that competition.
How will my identity be displayed on my player card?
Your self-identification, and sex at birth for table officials to be able to administration classification points on court. This can be shown to the table ahead of the tip off on your phone and ask that your card is not printed off.
What competition is open to me as a non-binary – male sex at birth?
The National League and Junior League.
Can I compete in female category competition?
No, non-binary athletes whose sex at birth is male are eligible to compete in open and male specific competitions.
Do I receive a point on court advantage within national league, as my sex at birth was male?
The team classification total would increase for junior players in line with regulations for that specific competition.
How will my identity be displayed on my player card?
Your self-identification, and sex at birth for table officials to be able to administration classification points on court. This can be shown to the table ahead of the tip off on your phone and ask that your card is not printed off.
