Cricket Australia takes step to include transgender cricketers in their ranks

On Thursday, August 8, Cricket Australia (CA) took a massive decision to include transgender players in their setup. The guidelines for the same have now been unveiled and they can now take part in the game at the highest level. The policy sets a testosterone limit for transgender and gender-diverse players who wish to ply their trade for state and national women’s teams.

To match the eligibility criteria for the women’s teams, the players must show a testosterone concentration of fewer than 10 nanomoles per litre over at least 12 months. The cricketers also must be able to demonstrate their elected gender is consistent. It should be one with which they are living their daily lives. The decision closely aligns Australia to ICC’s gender diversity guidelines.

Discrimination of any sort has no place in the game

The guidelines also include everything from providing the required facilities, victimization to privacy and collection of personal information. Kevin Roberts, the chief executive of Cricket Australia put forth the laws. It was also made clear that any kind of discrimination in the game won’t be tolerated.

“It doesn’t make any sense that today, people are discriminated against, harassed or excluded, because of who they are. And that’s not right. Today we demonstrate our commitment to include people with an affirmed gender identity in the game at every level and ensure all people in our communities’ experience Australian cricket’s inclusive culture,” Roberts wrote in a statement.

“Discrimination of any sort has no place in the game and all of Australian Cricket is driven to ensure all cricketers can participate in a harassment-free environment,” the statement added.

Megan Schutt, the Australian women’s fast bowler, also welcomed the move and reckoned that everyone deserves to play the game. Moreover, she feels that it will create a better environment.

“Inclusion matters in every sense. Cricket Australia’s vision is to be a sport for all, so everyone deserves to be included. To have a policy and guidelines that include transgender and gender diverse players will create a better environment for everybody to play the game,” she mentioned.

Participation of transgender players has been an issue for quite some time now. Some prominent names have expressed concerns over the matter, including the legendary tennis star Martina Navratilova.

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