England Netball change guidance

After changes within Football and Cricket – England netball have changes their guidance by banning transgender women from its female category.

The new rules, which will apply from 1 September, recognise three distinct gender participation categories: female, male and mixed. The following is taken direct from the England Netball website and can be found online here

England Netball have published the Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy that will come into effect across the game from 1st September 2025 and includes information relating to transgender players. We are now working to support the Netball Family to ensure that netball facilitators are adequately prepared for the upcoming season. Until this time, the Trans Inclusion Guidance which was last updated in August 2024 remains in place.

The updated guidance for the 2024/2025 season (until 31 August 2025) as well as the new Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy for 2025/2026 (from 1 September 2025) can be viewed below.

Trans Inclusion Guidance (UNTIL 31st Aug)

Gender Eligibility And Participation Policy (From 1st Sept 2025)

In Summary
Updates to the above 2024-2025 season Guidance

England Netball Roses, Roses Academy and Future Roses eligibility criteria aligns to the World Netball Participation and Inclusion Policy that was published in April 2024

Domestic Competition Guidance –refers to the Sports Council Guidance 2021 when considering testosterone levels within the female range (reduction from 10 nmol/l to 5 nmol/l) and an increased monitoring period (24 months).

EN member netball organisations won’t have the burden of collecting any sensitive data, any evidence players need to provide for eligibility purposes shall be provided in writing directly to EN for a confidential review.

Removal of all references to use of testosterone suppressants in U18s

Clarity that all children up to the age of 12 can play netball in their affirmed gender without restriction.
Any specific concerns relating to transgender / non-binary eligibility and participation should be raised to EN via belonging@englandnetball.co.uk. Under no circumstances should these be raised with the player directly.