TRANSGENDER---NON-BINARY POLICY February 2025

This policy applies solely to domestic British competitions for which the ITA has responsibility. The LTA does not have responsibility for setting rules at international competitions, i.e. Wimbledon, Rules will be set by the relevant governing body.

As a National Governing Body (NGB) the LTA has a responsibility to ensure competition in our sport is fair and that tennis is welcoming and inclusive for all. The NGB has considered work carried out by the Sports Councils Equality Group.

The full ITA Policy, Transgender and Non-binary https://www.lta.org.uk/transgender-and-non-binary-policy came into effect on 25th January 2025.

The Equality Act 2012 stipulates that tennis is a gender-affected sport. The average man has an advantage when playing against the average woman. This includes longer levers with which to reach and hit the ball and increased cardio-vascular capacity. The current broad consensus, including the conclusion of the review carried out by the Sports Councils Equality Group, is that this advantage is likely to be retained to a significant degree in trans women, making competition unfair.

At Cheddar Tennis Club we have summarized this policy to suit our venue, as suggested by the LTA.

Following the LTA guidelines two designations of competition have been created.

SPECIFIED COMPETITIONS-involving individuals from different clubs, venues, counties at local, county, regional and national level will be subject to the LTA policy on Trans and Non-binary.

A player assigned male sex at birth will be eligible to compete in the men's competition category and as a man in a mixed doubles team.

A player assigned female sex at birth will be eligible to compete in the women's competition and as a woman in a mixed doubles team.

This sets out the eligibility of a transgender-non-binary player to compete. There will be competitions ranging from our National Championships through to local county and district leagues, where the purpose is to provide fair competitive opportunities. This helps to provide a common National Standard which the LTA deems fair.

Subject to LTA Competition Regulation 9.1, which permits competition between boys and girls in 8U, 9U and IOU events.

Our own Inter-Club championships will follow this. Also, men's league and Ladies League practice nights, unless the Official invites other players from the opposite sex to make up numbers for doubles practice,

NON-SPECIFIED COMPETITIONS- involving individuals within one club or venue. The Organisers purpose is primarily to provide fun, social competition to enable people to feel part of their local tennis community. These can range from weekday/weekend social tournaments, evening club activities (often coach led).

At Cheddar Tennis Club we want to be as inclusive as possible for individuals, providing opportunities to compete in a friendly environment, free from harassment and abuse.

USE OF CHANGING FACILITIES

Players assigned female sex at birth to use Female facilities.

Players assigned male sex at birth to use Male facilities.

Transgender- non-binary players may also have access to the Disabled facilities.

As our female facilities include the Disabled toilet, access is only through the Disabled doorway. An individual needing to use the Disabled facility would need to knock the Female cloakroom door to enquire availability.

We want all users to feel comfortable and secure.

MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT

The Safeguarding Officer may engage the LTA to initiate an investigation into breach of this policy or non-compliance, in good faith and on reasonable grounds. The dignity of all players must be always respected. Players must not be stigmatized or discriminated against on the grounds of their gender identity.

All player information provided to the LTA under this Policy will be maintained in strict confidence at all times.

DEFINITIONS AND USE OF LANGUAGE

"biological sex" refers to an individual's status as a man or a woman based on biological (in particular chromosomal, gonadal and hormonal) sex characteristics, which are dichotomous;

"gender identity" refers to an individual's self-identified gender. This may be the same as or different to the individual's biological sex.

"transgender" refers to an individual whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth (whether or not they have commenced and/or undergone any form of medical transition);

"transgender woman" refers to an individual who was assigned male sex at birth and has a female gender identity:

"cisgender woman" refers to an individual who was assigned female sex at birth and has a female identity;

"transgender man" refers to an individual who was assigned a female sex at birth and has a male gender identity;

"cisgender man" refers to an individual who was assigned male sex at birth and has a male identity;

"non-binary" refers to an individual whose gender identity does not sit comfortably as 'male' or 'female'. Non-binary identities are varied. Some individuals identify with some aspects of male/female identities, and other individuals reject binary identities entirely.

"organiser" means the person or persons administrating and /or organising the relevant event Specified Competition or Non-Specified Competitions.

"player" means an individual player of the Game (as defined in the LTA's Articles of Association as amended from time to time).

POLICY REVIEW

The LTA'S Transgender and Non-binary policy is continually under review. Likewise, Cheddar Tennis Club will take on board, through the Committee, any amendments to be shared with its members.

Sarah Strawbridge                  Chairman and Welfare Officer