England hockey survey

[HagoftheNorth]

Just in case anyone else gets this, the ONLY chance you have to comment on including men in the women’s game is the first free text boxes.

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7268413/2023EDIPulseSurvey?utm_campaign=13835964_Hockey%20Season%20Feedback&utm_medium=email&utm_source=England%20Hockey%20Ltd&dm_i=K8Z,88JWC,46VSIC,XT9BN,1

not sure if that will work, but worth a try

Please can you give me more info? I was startled to see a woman’s team with a man playing the other day, thought it seemed unlikely, but maybe not? I even searched to see if I could find a rule change. Thank you. Bizarrely I have just filled the survey in without thinking about this at all, but have 3 more I can fill in…

The survey just dropped into my inbox (and yours from the sound of it) - v brief survey on how the season is going.

As it happens, a friend of mine is at a club where a transwoman is trying to join. Fully intact male, no reason why they couldn’t play in the men’s section. At my club, everyone tends to turn up in sports kit & head straight home afterwards. At her club, lots of women turn up straight from work & use the communal changing room, so it’s causing a bit of turmoil. Hence it was a point for me to raise in the ‘any issues’ box.

Since I thought this was what the survey was about, I expected there would be more specific questions later on - but no. So, I thought I’d point that out in case anyone else was keen to make this point to England Hockey!

The Football Association sent me a survey about grassroots football this week as well. So far it's crashed twice while attempting to fill it out...

I've got the survey too. Possibly being naive but if they don't mention trans participation does that not mean they're not actively considering allowing biological males into women's teams?

I am trying to find the latest guidance from England Hockey..

I found 2017 guidance which permits players to play in their acquired gender categories.

Produced before this Sport England guidance which states that fairness is not compatible with having males in female competion .. 2021...

https://equalityinsport.org/resources/index.html

https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/media/news/england-hockey-response-to-new-transgender-inclusion-guidelines

Says they will review their policies in light of this.. from 2021.. but I can find nothing further.. apart from the Inclusion and Diversity Framework which doesn't seem to refer to sex or gender... but focuses more on race.

Can anyone point me in the direction of the latest guidance?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com/d66c6a48-e05a-01b8-e0ec-59ee93833239/b760d30f-16a6-4520-b8e6-bdc667743b02/Trans%2520Hockey%2520-%2520Guidance.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiw4-ibkPL9AhV2UqQEHUGcCB4QFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3l54dNdWVy0w47Kgz68_pR

2017 policy..

I filled in the survey and used the free text box.
I play for a club that is actively involved with allowing a trans woman into the club. In-tact but taking medication.
Discussions of where they should change, use the toilet etc ahead of next season's participation.

For those of you with transwomen in their clubs... the guidance from Sport England and Equality in sport is clear... They are welcome... but should compete in the category of their sex, which is binary.

I can only find the 2017 guidelines.

there must be something else?

Have there been recent photos of this team?

@Swimbikerun No, they haven't played in a match yet. Only trained at the ladies club session. No photos of them.

@ChateauMargaux so the 2017 guidance says that trans players are welcome but to play in the time as per their sex?

@AnonAnom940 .. no - in 2017, England Hockey said 'Any trans person (male or female) is permitted to participate fully, i.e. train, play in informal matches or play in hockey competitions, in their affirmed gender.'

and goes on to say 'However other users’ or members’ discomfort must not be ignored and they too should be treated with dignity, should their discomfort continues they may arrive ready changed for their hockey activity.'' (so if others are uncomfortable with mixed sex changing facilities, they can change somewhere else)...

In 2021, Sports Council Equality Group said
'Competitive fairness cannot be reconciled with self-identification into the female category in gender- affected sport.'
'sports should retain sex categorisation'
'testosterone suppression is unlikely to guarantee fairness between transgender women and natal females in gender-affected sports:',
‘Case-by-case’ assessment is unlikely to be practical nor verifiable for entry' 'Categorisation by sex is lawful, and hence the requirement to request information relating to birth sex is appropriate.'

England hockey said 'Transgender inclusion in sport is important. England Hockey intends to follow the Sports Councils Equality Group's advice to read, and reflect on, the guidance and will be joining the upcoming workshops, further discussion and education sessions, and other support offered by the SCEG. England Hockey is committed to reviewing the existing policy in place in the game in light of this.

I cannot find where England Hockey has reissued it's guidance to local hockey organisations on trans or transgender hockey players.

(I was on my phone earlier so couldn't quote the relevant parts.

Thank you @ChateauMargaux that's really useful