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NSOs commit to trans and gender diverse inclusion

22 October 2020

In a world first, eight NSOs recently committed to implementing governance that supports a greater level of inclusion for trans and gender diverse people in their sports.

At a launch held on Oct 1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the eight NSOs came together to unveil their policies and guidelines relating to the participation of trans and gender diverse people. The NSOs are:

  • AFL
  • Hockey Australia
  • Netball Australia
  • Rugby Australia
  • Tennis Australia
  • Touch Football Australia
  • UniSport Australia
  • Water Polo Australia

In addition, a range of NSOs have also committed to developing trans and gender diverse inclusion frameworks for their sports over the months ahead, including:

  • Athletics Australia
  • Australian Dragon Boating Federation
  • Bowls Australia
  • Diving Australia
  • Football Federation Australia
  • Golf Australia
  • Gymnastics Australia
  • Judo Australia
  • Softball Australia
  • Squash Australia
  • Surf Life Saving Australia
  • Swimming Australia
  • Triathlon Australia

After launching their own trans and gender diverse inclusion governance in 2019, Cricket Australia also committed to supporting other NSOs throughout this process.

Background 

In 2015 the Australian Human Rights Commission published a report based on consultations with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities. Those surveyed raised concerns about the lack of participation of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.

During this same time sporting organisations identified the need for national guidance on how they can be inclusive of transgender and gender diverse people, and the operation of relevant anti-discrimination laws, while also protecting the health and safety of all players. As such, in 2018 the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Sport Australia (SA) and the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) partnered to develop national Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport (Guidelines). Several weeks after the launch of the Guidelines, Cricket Australia was the first NSO to launch their elite and community transgender participation policies.

The objective of developing a ‘national’ set of guidelines was to provide generic guidance to sporting organisations so that they could take the lead on developing their own transgender participation policies for their particular circumstances. In essence the Guidelines are a great example of Sport Australia building the capability of NSOs to enable ‘sport to lead sport’.

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