Seeing both sides: Understanding the RFU's decision on trans participation
On Friday 29th July, the RFU announced that trans women would no longer be able to take part in full contact women’s community rugby, a decision that was met with a heated response on social media both by those in favour of it and those who rallied against a decision that seemed to go against the union’s stated intent to be a fully inclusive sport.
The intent to vote on the issue and the recommendation to remove trans women from women’s rugby was announced a week earlier and immediately a groundswell of voices within women’s rugby spoke out against the plan.
This decision was made partially on the back of what the RFU have labelled an extensive, game-wide survey, however multiple clubs who are impacted have stated they were not contacted to participate, which brings into question both the method of the survey and the intent behind it.
The deciding panel also reviewed detailed research on the physiological differences between those assigned male and female at birth and the effects of puberty on them. Important information to be sure, but there is no suggestion that this included any research that was not already available in 2020 when the RFU went against World Rugby’s guidance to continue to allow trans women to take part on a case-by-case basis.
The research most commonly shared on social media also lacks any content on the impact of those assigned male at birth transitioning – anyone registering under the previous case-by-case basis would need to show their testosterone levels have been under 5 nanomoles per litre for 12 months.
Bearing in mind it takes considerable time to reduce from a male average of between 10 and 35 noml, so a commitment of more than two years is required to come down to this level for many trans women.
Ultimately, the reason given for the decision was that there was inherent risk in allowing trans women to continue to play against cis women, a point that is certainly valid, but ignores the huge risk inherent in simply playing full contact rugby.
Considering the tragedy of Siobhan Cattigan’s death, player safety is rightly in focus and for this reason a number of people, such as former player and pundit Brian Moore and former England full back Danielle Waterman have supported the decision.
In my opinion this is right for the game at the moment, as it is supported by science/current research on the safety of players.
You may agree or disagree with my view, but either way, everyone should be entitled to share their opinion without the fear of judgment or hate! https://t.co/Ise6rijapH
— Danielle (Nolli) Waterman (@nolli15) July 29, 2022
Equally it’s easy to make the case that the research that is publicly available is fundamentally lacking without data on trans women. The decision also comes at a time when transgender people are facing increased attacks in the media and online.
As such there has also been a lot of support given to keeping trans women in the game, notably from current England back row Poppy Cleall and former Red Roses prop Sasha Acheson.
From one of the most inclusive sports to one of the least in 7 votes. ? https://t.co/InqmFHaBNq
— Poppy (@poppy_g_c) July 29, 2022
Acheson has already started plans for trans-inclusive training sessions to show trans women they are still welcomed within the game. Her defiance in the face of the decision has been a rallying call for other players, clubs and supporters to show the affected women that they will not be forgotten.
A Sunday reminder that womens sports only exists because of a defiant act, against the science, against politics, which were all irrefutable at the time. Now look, we're representing countries on world stages. This sport is a sport for all, if you're defiant ?????????? #rugbyforall
— Sasha Acheson (@sashbambam) July 31, 2022
There are, or more accurately were, seven registered trans women rugby players in the English game, all playing for community clubs, and all welcomed by their teammates with open arms. They had gone through a physically and mentally demanding process to make themselves eligible to play and despite several people looking into it, no recorded cases of injuries caused by these players (or previous trans women rugby players) have been found.
The RFU have apparently reached out to try and keep them involved in the game – effectively telling them they are not welcome to play in or against women’s teams, but they can do their admin if required.
What I find most disturbing is the lack of compassion for these women. They have had one of their few safe places taken away from them and so few people commenting, regardless of which side of the argument they support, seem to have thought about how they – and other trans women in the wider rugby community – must feel.
For me rugby has always been somewhere where anyone can feel welcome and, even assuming this decision was made with the best intent, it has made the sport seem less welcome for some of the most ostracised members of society. It has resulted in further abuse for those standing up for trans rights and it feels like a backwards step.
It was only 31 years ago that the first women’s World Cup took place – an event made possible by a few passionate women, not by unions or governing bodies – nobody thought women’s sport would gain the traction it has and as it continues to grow difficult subjects will have to be dealt with.
I firmly believe that this is a misstep and that it will be put right in the fullness of time.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments