Dear Richard Gould and the ECB,
We represent the many women, non-binary people and male allies in cricket who are deeply disappointed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decision to ban transwomen from women and girls’ cricket in England and Wales.
We recognise that the Supreme Court decision of 16th April had the potential to change the lived realities of trans people. Unfortunately, cricket followed many other sports and organisations with a rapid ban. These sweeping changes are already being felt across communities at a pace that has not given anyone the time to breathe, talk, and find a way forward that could have supported everyone. In this context, we hoped the ECB would take a more considered approach, working in partnership with the community.
Team sports like cricket are essential for social inclusion, community building, and personal development. The trans community already faces higher rates of marginalisation, mental health challenges, and discrimination. For many, sport is one of the few accessible spaces for connection and support. This blanket ban adds to the discrimination, both symbolically and practically, by sending the message that trans people are not welcome in community spaces, including on the cricket field. By enacting this ban, the ECB has made those spaces narrower and less welcoming. The ECB is failing on their stated ambition of being ‘the most inclusive sport in England and Wales.’
At the national Out4Cricket conference in May 2025, the ECB was privy to the powerful stories of belonging, identity, and hope that cricket gives to trans people and the wider LGBTQ+ community. The overwhelming sentiment from the community was clear: we want the ban overturned.
- We urge the ECB to meaningfully involve the wider trans and LGBTQ+ community in shaping its policies.
- Work in partnership with grassroots trans/LGBTQ+ cricket/sports clubs to conduct research focused on: Developing fair, evidence-based frameworks for inclusive participation in sport
- We also call on the ECB to invest in building inclusive infrastructure that removes barriers and supports trans participation at all levels of the game
We want to work with you and hold you accountable to ensure that collectively, we do all we can to facilitate trans participation in cricket.
We ask that you work with us, listen to us and let us help you shape a more inclusive sport for all – not the select few.
Sincerely,
