International netball Photo: Supplied
World Netball has just released a policy that rules trans women athletes out of international level competition.
It considers the policy necessary for the safety of athletes in the international women's game.
Until now World Netball hasn't had a policy around transgender and non-binary people's participation.
"World Netball has been considering this issue for some time and following detailed review of the science and consultation with experts and members it has determined that International Level Women's Netball is a gender affected activity and that a policy is required to ensure fairness and safety at this level of our sport," it states.
"...World Netball has taken the decision that eligibility for international Women's Netball Competition is restricted to those athletes recorded as female at birth irrespective of gender identity; and transgender athletes who can establish to World Netball's satisfaction that they have not experienced the biological effects of testosterone at any time."
The policy applies only to international level women's competitions.
Photo: Supplied
For any competition below international level, World Netball expects nations to adopt their own policy in competitions they are running.
The policy said international level women's netball was physically demanding, involved frequent contact, including contact in the air, which created an inherent risk to the safety of athletes.
It said the size, strength, power, and speed of athletes affected the risk of injury occurrence and the severity of injury sustained and that the average strength, stamina and physique of one sex (female) will put them at a disadvantage compared with the other sex (male).
World Netball said the policy was based on current evidence, which strongly suggested there was retained physical advantage following the suppression of testosterone levels in those that have experienced the biological advantages of testosterone at any time in life.
How exactly does it affect trans athletes?
Trans women are not eligible to participate in international level competition.
Trans men are not eligible to participate in international level women's netball competition unless they can establish to World Netball's satisfaction that they have not experienced "the biological effects of testosterone at any time".
How exactly does it affect non-binary athletes?
Non-binary athletes who were recorded as female at birth and who have not experienced "the biological effects of testosterone at any time" are eligible to participate in international level women's netball competition.
Non-binary athletes who were recorded as male at birth or have experienced the "biological effects of testosterone at any time" are not eligible to participate in International level women's netball competition.
What about intersex athletes?
The policy does not apply to regulate the participation of intersex athletes (athletes with variations of sex characteristics, also known as differences of sexual development) in international level women's netball competitions.
What competitions does it apply to?
International Level Women's Netball Competition: means a duly-sanctioned women's netball match, competition or event contested by national representative teams or by teams under the jurisdiction of different National Associations or by teams representing different Regional Federations.
