New Zealand to Revise Community Sport Guidelines for Transgender Athletes Amid Controversy

In response to criticism from Olympians and other detractors who claimed the policy disadvantages women, New Zealand is poised to revise its guidelines on transgender athletes in community sports, as reported by Reuters. A group consisting of Olympians, medical professionals, and sports officials sent a letter in September, advocating for a revision of the community sports policies. They argued these policies overlook the rights of female athletes. Currently, the two-year-old guidelines permit biological males to compete in women’s categories at the amateur level without needing to validate their identity.

Sports and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop, in a press release on Wednesday, expressed, “It is important that transgender people feel able to participate in community sport – but there are obviously difficult issues for sporting bodies to grapple with around fairness and safety as a result of that participation.” He added, “I have come to the view that the Guiding Principles do not reflect legitimate community expectations that sport at a community level should not just be focused on diversity, inclusion and equity – but also prioritise fairness and safety.”

The coalition’s letter argued for the fairness of athletic competitions, stating they are only equitable when biological men are barred from competing in women’s divisions due to the unfair physical edge, as noted by Reuters.

Raelene Castle, the head of Sport NZ, acknowledged the organization’s commitment to revising and modifying the guidelines, as reported by Reuters. Bishop anticipates an update on these changes in the “coming months.”