The development of EN’s new Gender Policy is still ongoing. This is a complex topic, and while we have made progress at the performance level following World Netball publishing their policy for international competition earlier this year, we are still working through what inclusion looks like at grassroots.
Current guidance will remain in place for this season (2024-2025) but with some minor amendments to align to Sports Council guidance, see below. Work will continue on the new EN Gender Policy that will be introduced ahead of the 2025-2026 season.
Updates to 2024-2025 Guidance
- England Netball Roses, Roses Academy and Future Roses eligibility criteria has been updated to align to the World Netball Participation and Inclusion Policy that was published earlier this year.
- Domestic Competition Guidance – has been updated and refers to the Sports Council Guidance 2021 when considering testosterone levels within the female range (reduction from 10 nmol/l to 5 nmol/l) and an increased monitoring period (24 months).
- EN member netball organisations will no longer have the burden of collecting any sensitive data, any evidence players need to provide for eligibility purposes shall be provided in writing directly to EN for a confidential review.
- Removal of all references to use of testosterone suppressants in U18s
- Clarity that all children up to the age of 12 can play netball in their affirmed gender without restriction.
- Any specific concerns relating to transgender / non-binary eligibility and participation should be raised to EN via belonging@englandnetball.co.uk. Under no circumstances should these be raised with the player directly.
Please note that any changes made to the current guidance will not impact athletes who have already met eligibility criteria for the previous season. We will continue to work directly with these athletes.
As we continue the development of our new policy, we welcome any information surrounding experiences within your netball community on this topic.
Please click here to view the work undertaken to date.
We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to work on our new policy.
England Netball
