The World Netball Federation has become the latest international sports body to announce they are reviewing their rules on transgender involvement in women’s sport after swimming’s ruling on the issue.
Netball is predominantly a sport played by women and is aiming for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, with Australia having a strong tradition in the sport.
Swimming’s World Governing Body FINA on Sunday voted to restrict the participation of Transgender Athletes in elite women’s competitions and create a working group to establish an “open” category for them in some events as part of its new policy.
That policy also covers Fina events in Diving, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming, and high diving and Open Water Swimming.
Football’s world governing body FIFA and World Athletics have also indicated that they are reviewing their transgender eligibility policies.
In the meantime Rugby League banned transgender players from women’s international competition today until further notice.
The decisions have been criticized by trans rights groups.
The Fina verdict was described by U.S based campaign group athlete ally as “deeply discriminatory, harmful, unscientific” and out of line with the stance of the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC said in November that no athlete should be excluded from competition on the grounds of a perceived unfair advantage, while leaving it up to sports federations to decide.
