Following the publication of England Hockey’s updated Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy, which comes into effect from September 1, 2025, we want to share our response as a club and the steps we are taking to support our members while upholding our values of inclusivity and fairness.

We recognise that many people of all genders – including those not assigned female or male at birth – simply wish to play and enjoy their sport without facing increased scrutiny or attention. This is something we wholeheartedly support.

The updated policy, aligned with the 2021 Sports Councils Equality Group (SCEG) guidance, means that trans women will no longer be eligible to play in the women’s leagues. This change will affect players across the country, including some who have played in these leagues for over a decade.

As we understand the current legal and policy context:

• The Equality Act 2010 provides protection on the grounds of sex (defined as sex recorded at birth) and on the grounds of gender reassignment – both are protected characteristics under law.
• England Hockey has moved from an inclusive model to a binarised categorisation of sex across all levels of competition.

Both we and England Hockey recognise the risk of increased discrimination as a result of this policy change. We want to be absolutely clear: any form of complaint, challenge or action raised on matchday – by a player, spectator or umpire – that questions or targets a player’s gender identity, whether concerning our own members or those of opposing teams, will be treated as discrimination. It will be handled under our club’s misconduct procedures and reported directly to England Hockey.

As a club – and as part of a city with a proud and expansive LGBTQI+ community – we recognise the challenges and hurt that can come from being part of a marginalised group. The club's committee is committed to providing support in any form we can and we encourage you to reach out if you feel affected by this change.

We also ask that you share widely that, following agreement at the recent Sussex Hockey AGM, we will be offering the opportunity for anyone who is unable to play in the league of their choice at their current club – and who may otherwise feel they have no route back into hockey – to join our mixed team here in Brighton.

We actively welcome new players of all genders to take part. We hope this goes some way to ensuring that every hockey player, regardless of gender, feels able to continue playing the sport they love – and to do so with a club that will stand by their side.

To support wider understanding, we have produced a short summary of the key policy changes which is attached to this article.

You can read the full England Hockey policy here: https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/governance/equality-diversity-inclusion/trans-and-non-binary-participation-guidance

If you would like to speak to someone in confidence, ask a question or share a concern, please reach out to us at bhhc.welfarelead@gmail.com

Signed,
Brighton & Hove Hockey Club committee