Swim England’s updated transgender and non-binary competition policy has inclusion and fairness at its very heart. In order for all aquatic disciplines to be enjoyed as sport, there must be inclusive opportunities for transgender participants to compete.
This policy refers only to Swim England competitions (including those organised by our member Regions, Counties and Clubs) and will be implemented on 1 September 2023.
Timeline:
- If the meet is held after 1 September 2023 it will need to use Female and Open/ Male categories (unless they applied for a licence prior to 3 April where their existing conditions will be honoured)
- The Promoters will need to bear in mind that the meet management software will likely be showing as Female and Open/ Male from 1 September which could impact the scoreboard display. Swim England appreciates that there will be incidences of the old terms being used and a period of transition will be accepted.
- If the meet is being held prior to 1 September (regardless of when the licence was applied for) the meet can use Female and Male categories. The new Policy does not come into effect until 1 September.
- If a licensed series of events takes place on both sides of 1 September, we would encourage the return of results to be sent in as soon as possible after each occurrence.
Leagues and series of events (such as club champs):
A league or a series of events may wish to licence a final (or some of the events within a series) that occurs after 1 September. If some of the events are due to take place prior to 1 September then special dispensation can be given to the licensed elements after this date and can fall under the same Policy used for the first part of the league. Any licensed series of events (or part of) starting after 1 September will require adherence to the new policy.
Clarifying the female category birth sex:
The new Policy requires athletes who want to compete in the Female category to confirm their birth sex.
We would like to encourage Promoters to add to their conditions a statement to confirm that by entering the meet the athlete is confirming that if they are entering the Female category, and as such confirm they were born with a birth sex of female. Below is an example of such a statement;
The Female category is for birth sex females in accordance with Swim England’s Transgender and Non-Binary Competition Policy. By entering the ‘Female’ category, a swimmer confirms that their birth sex is female.
To view the policy please click here: Swim England Transgender Non-Binary Competition Policy
Should you have any questions or want more information about the policy please email: [email protected]
