Rugby has banned transgender players from women’s international competition until further notice, following global swimming’s decision to restrict trans athletes’ participation at the elite level, Reuters reported.
The International Rugby League (IRL) said it needed to further consult and balance transgender participation against the “perceived risk” to other players.
“It’s disappointing. We’re human beings the same as everyone else,” transgender woman Caroline Layt, who played elite women’s rugby league in Australia after transitioning, told Reuters.
Other sports have policies restricting transgender athletes in top women’s competition, including rugby union, cycling and Australian rules football. The International Olympic Committee, however, said in November that no athlete should be excluded from competition on the grounds of a perceived unfair advantage, while leaving it up to sports federations to decide.