Gender Eligibility and Participation Policy and Documents

A transgender person is someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. This can include individuals who identify as male, female, or non-binary.

Following a detailed review and consultation the England Netball’s Trans inclusion Guidance (2017) will be replaced by England Netball Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy that outlines the eligibility criteria for participation in netball. You can find the policy above the FAQ’s. This policy comes into effect from 1 September 2025. Until then the current guidance will remain in place for the remainder of the 2024/2025 season.

England Netball is committed to reviewing the Gender Eligibility and Participation Policy periodically to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the sport and any updated guidelines that is shared with sports governing bodies.

This policy is not linked to the recent Supreme Court ruling. For now, we believe this to be the right course of action for our sport that gives our netball community enough notice to prepare for the upcoming season. However we will continue to review and consider any future guidance that is shared with sports governing bodies.

To align your league’s policies with national guidance, you should:
1. Review the policy and guidance document

• Familiarise yourself with the Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy and how it applies to Recognised & Authorised netball activity.

• The guidance document has a helpful section that sets out what this policy will mean to you as a league organiser.

• Review it alongside your own competition regulations

2. Define and communicate eligibility criteria

• For 1 August 2025, clearly outline who is eligible to play in your competition regulations, ensuring these cover membership, age, and gender.

• Clearly label your competition or divisions as Female, Mixed, or Male so players understand eligibility requirements before participating.

• Ensure your competition regulations include a process for raising eligibility concerns, please refer to the example competition regulations.

• Checking eligibility of the players is not the role of the umpire and individuals must not be challenged directly during netball activity

• Make it clear that if a dispute arises, the games should proceed, and if an ineligible player is later found to have participated, sanctions will be applied in line with competition regulations.
  
  

3. Apply a consistent approach to compliance and sanctions

• Implement a structured process for investigating eligibility concerns, ensuring disputes are handled fairly, discreetly, and after matches where possible.

• Align your league’s approach to eligibility management and enforcement with England Netball’s guidance and template regulations.
  
  

4. Educate your Game Makers

• Ensure those involved in competition management (e.g. league administrators, competition referees, and umpires) understand the policy and how to apply it fairly and consistently, and without putting themselves into vulnerable positions.

• Signpost to England Netball’s resources and to help your league volunteers confidently manage eligibility concerns.
  
  

5. Provide clear processes for dispute resolution

• If eligibility concerns arise, leagues should have a transparent escalation process that allows issues to be raised through the correct channels.

• All concerns should be handled respectfully and confidentially, ensuring individuals are treated with dignity while upholding the policy.

If you need support, please contact genderinclusion@englandnetball.co.uk

To align your club’s policies with national guidance, you should:

1. Review the policy

Familiarise yourself with the Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy and how it applies to Recognised & Authorised netball activity.

2. Update club policies & procedures

Ensure your club’s governing documents reflect the EN policy.

3. Clearly categorise your sessions

From 1 August 2025, label all club sessions as Female, Mixed, or Male to help players understand eligibility requirements and make informed decisions about their participation.

4. Educate your Game Makers

Share the policy and guidance with your coaches, officials, and volunteers and signpost to England Netball’s guidance to help them understand how to apply the policy fairly and consistently, and without putting themselves into vulnerable positions.

5. Communicate with players

Ensure players, parents, and guardians (where applicable) understand how the policy affects participation and eligibility within the club. Where possible, make sure to signpost to mixed and male sessions in your area.

If you need support, please contact genderinclusion@englandnetball.co.uk

If after 1 September 2025, a player informs you that they are a transgender woman and your club only offers Female category sessions, it's important to approach the situation with understanding and respect.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Review the Eligibility Criteria

Respect the player’s privacy by keeping this information confidential. Confirm the player's eligibility based on the Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy and encourage them to update their profile in the game management system, ENgage*, if they haven’t already done so.

2. Discuss Options

Have a private conversation with the player about their options based on their eligibility. If the club’s current sessions do not meet their eligibility needs, explore alternatives, such as signposting to mixed or male sessions in the area. If after 1 September 2025, a player informs you that they are a transgender woman and your club only offers Female category sessions, it's important to approach the situation with understanding and respect.

3. Test for Demand for Mixed Sessions

Consider working with the club to assess if there is demand in your area to establish a mixed session to ensure that the player isn’t displaced and can continue to participate in a way that aligns with their identity and eligibility.

4. Follow the Policy

Apply the club’s eligibility policy consistently and fairly to all players. Ensure that all participation decisions are based on the established criteria and not assumptions or personal opinions.

5. Support

Ensure the player feels supported and that they understand the next steps.

*Please note: System changes are in development and won't be available before 1 August 2025.

If one of your players' participation is impacted in their current netball environment due to the new Gender Eligibility and Participation Policy, it’s crucial to approach the situation with care, empathy, and preparation. These changes may have a significant emotional impact, and how the conversation is handled can either ease or intensify that experience. A thoughtful and supportive approach helps affirm the individual’s identity, maintain their dignity, and reduce potential harm. It also ensures clarity around the rule changes, offers space for open dialogue, and provides opportunities to explore alternative forms of involvement for example, mixed netball. Most importantly, it reinforces a sense of belonging and respect, even in the face of difficult transitions. Preparing for this conversation not only supports the individual but also reflects the values of inclusion, compassion, and integrity within your wider netball community.

1. Prepare

• Review and understand the policy/guidance notes specifically the eligibility table.

• You can use the press release, which clearly explains the reasons and is backed by the policy.
  
  

2. Be empathetic and respectful

• Acknowledge the athlete's contributions and how difficult this might be for them.

• Allow space for them to process and respond.
  
  

3. Be clear and honest

• Avoid vague language. Clearly communicate the decision and the reason.
  
  

4. Offer support where possible

• Encourage them towards mixed netball if they wish to continue to play and reassure them that they are welcome to remain as part of the club.
  
  

If you would like any further support, please contact: genderinclusion@englandnetball.co.uk

If someone who does not meet the eligibility criteria for the category of netball activity you deliver , you should:

1. Explain the eligibility criteria

• Ensure all those that are new to the club understand the policy and why certain sessions are designated as Female, Mixed, or Male.
  
  

2. Direct them to alternative options

• If the person is not eligible for the netball activity you offer, if possible, provide information about sessions they may be eligible for within your club or elsewhere via the club finder .
  
  

*Please note, the Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy does not apply to players aged 11 or under on 1 September of the membership year.

Yes, your child can still play netball, but where and how they participate will depend on several factors, including their age and the category of play.

Children aged 11 and under (on 1 September of the membership year)

The Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy does not apply to this age group, meaning all children can participate in netball together without restrictions.

Children 12 and over (on 1 September of the membership year)

From age 12 (Under 14 membership), netball activity is categorised as Female, Mixed, or Male. Eligibility is determined through the ENgage* game management system, where all players must update their profile. Based on this information, the system will indicate the player’s eligibility. The data will be stored securely and only the confirmed eligibility result will be visible to netball organisers.

Finding the right playing opportunities

Eligibility will be assessed in line with the policy. Players assigned male at birth cannot play in the Female category from age 12 (Under 14 membership), but the Mixed category provides an opportunity to continue playing.

We understand that this policy may affect players differently, and we encourage clubs to explore demand for Mixed sessions to support inclusion.

*Please note: System changes are in development and won't be available before 1 August 2025.

Yes, your son can play netball. After 1 September 2025, netball activity will be categorised as Female, Mixed, or Male, for anyone aged 12 years and over, and participation will be subject to meeting the gender eligibility criteria.

If your son was assigned male at birth, he is eligible to play in Mixed and Male sessions.

We encourage you to check with your local club or league to see what sessions are available or check our Club Finder here and the EMMNA club finder here. If there is no Mixed or Male netball in your area, you may want to discuss interest with local providers to see if a session could be introduced.

Transgender men are eligible to play in the Female category after 1 September 2025, as long as they have not undergone female-to-male gender-affirming hormone treatment for a period of 12 months or more.

Absolutely. You will just need to ensure you have read the policy, you are playing in the category/ies that you are eligible to play in, and have updated your profile in ENgage*.

*Please note: System changes are in development and won't be available before 1 August 2025.

Yes –At England Netball, we believe everyone should feel confident, comfortable, and empowered in what they wear on court. That’s why our domestic guidance focuses on choice, safety and unity. You can find our EN Kit Guidance here.

If you believe the policy is being misinterpreted or applied incorrectly:

1. Seek clarification

• If possible, speak with the relevant person to understand how they are interpreting the policy. Misunderstandings can often be resolved through discussion.
  
  

2. Refer to the EN guidance

• Ensure you are familiar with the policy by reviewing the EN documentation. You can find the full Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy and helpful Guidance document here.
  
  

3. Escalate if needed

• If you still think the policy is being misinterpreted, you can escalate your concern to England Netball. Please contact our genderinclusion@englandnetball.co.uk

England Netball is committed to ensuring that any transgender or non-binary participant should be able to access and enjoy netball without fear of discrimination, prejudice, or harassment.

Such behaviours are wholly unacceptable and may be subject to disciplinary action under the England Netball Disciplinary Regulations. It is important that any unacceptable behaviour is dealt with, and we would ask that any such incidences are reported via this form.

For any concerns or questions on reporting unacceptable behaviour, please contact Genderinclusion@englandnetball.co.uk for support and guidance.

• Individuals must not be challenged directly on their gender eligibility during activity and everybody must be treated with respect and dignity.
  
  

• This should be reported to Club Committee, League Organiser or Programme organiser. Eligibility will be able to be checked via the ENgage membership system.
  
  

• If these checks are inconclusive or find a player ineligible, you should contact GenderInclusion@englandnetball.co.uk
  
  

• Individuals should not be asked to provide medical evidence of their gender, this is illegal.
  
  

• Regional EDI leads and the England Netball Diversity & Belonging Business Partner (GenderInclusion@englandnetball.co.uk) are also able to support in incidences when there is believed to be non-compliance.
  
  

• Please see section 5 of the Guidance Document for more information.
  
  Note: Umpires are not responsible for managing eligibility on court.

The player’s eligibility is determined during the registration process in our game management system, ENgage*, and should not be based on personal opinion. It is important that you do not engage in on-the-spot debates or attempt to verify eligibility yourself.

There needs to be valid reasons for questioning If there are any disputes or challenges regarding eligibility, these should be managed before or after any match and leagues must share a clear process for members to follow to raise concerns. Any challenge must not be directed to an individual. Template competition regulations around eligibility are available and they include suggested processes for this are available in the guidance document under We’re a Netball League.

Individuals should not be directly challenged during any activity or a game. The game should proceed, and if an ineligible player is later found to have participated, sanctions will be applied in line with competition regulations.

Please see We’re a Netball League section and section 5 of the guidance for more information and support.

Remember, this policy does not come into effect until 1 September 2025. If after that time, you feel that your eligibility is being unfairly questioned, you should first ensure that your profile in the game management system, Engage*, is up to date. Having your profile correctly completed will determine your eligibility and help prevent any challenges.

If everything is in order, but your eligibility is still being questioned, speak to your coach, club safeguarding officer, or the competition referee to address your concerns.

If necessary, request a review or follow the official complaints process to ensure that your issue is handled fairly. You can report a concern here.

The player’s eligibility is determined during the registration process in our game management system, ENgage*, and should not be based on personal opinion. It is important that you do not engage in on-the-spot debates or attempt to verify eligibility yourself.

All concerns should be directed to the Competition Referee or League organiser. The process for doing this should be outlined in the Competition Regulations.

Note: Umpires are not responsible for managing eligibility on court.

The game should proceed, and if an ineligible player is later found to have participated, sanctions will be applied in line with competition regulations.

*Please note: System changes are in development and won't be available before 1 August 2025.

Please signpost all enquiries to media@englandnetball.co.uk.

If pressed, you can say:

"Thank you for your enquiry. We have a dedicated team managing media requests regarding gender inclusion and our policies. Please direct your questions to media@englandnetball.co.uk”

The policy comes into effect on 1 September 2025. We are working to update our game management system, ENgage, to 1) collect information that will determine a player's eligibility and 2) enable netball clubs, leagues, and approved delivery partners to check eligibility. We will also be asking clubs, leagues, and approved delivery partners to clearly label their sessions as Female, Mixed, or Male, so players can make informed decisions about their participation based on their eligibility result.

*Please note, the Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy does not apply to players aged 11 or under on 1 September of the membership year.

**Please note: System changes are in development and won't be available before 1 August 2025.

If you sit on the organising committee and have a role assigned to you in ENgage, you can log into the system and complete eligibility checks in the People, Team Management, or Membership modules.

*Please note: System changes are in development and won't be available before 1 August 2025.

If a player wants to change their playing category within the season, league organisers should review the request and ensure it complies with the eligibility criteria.

• Mixed Netball is EN’s inclusive category, allowing players to compete under the gender with which they identify.

• It is a version of netball where players of any gender can compete together in the same team. It follows the Rules of Netball as set by World Netball, with additional on-court gender split rules to ensure teams are structured appropriately.

• Participation in Mixed Netball is open to all individuals, and teams must respect the Affirmed Gender* of all players. 

• A player's Affirmed Gender will be recognised for the purposes of structuring teams and playing positions according to the Mixed Netball Rules under England Netball

*Affirmed Gender = the gender that a person identifies as or has transitioned/is transitioning to as opposed to that which was assigned at birth

• The full rules for Mixed Netball follow the Rules of Netball set by World Netball, with additional on-court gender split requirements.

• These rules are available here and EMMNA’s official guidance documents.

• EN Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy which applies to all EN Recognised & Authorised Activity including EMMNA, recognises a player's right to self-identify.

• There is no formal verification process, and teams participate with the understanding that Mixed Netball is an inclusive version of the sport.

• No, there is no requirement for players to match up based on gender. Defending and marking follow the Rules of Netball.

For clarity, a player whose Affirmed Gender* is not female may occupy one (1) of the following positions in each third: 

• Goal Third: Goal Shooter (GS) or Goal Attack (GA); 

• Centre Third: Wing Attack (WA), Centre (C), or Wing Defence (WD); and 

• Defensive Third: Goal Defence (GD) or Goal Keeper (GK). 

*Affirmed Gender = the gender that a person identifies as or has transitioned/is transitioning to as opposed to that which was assigned at birth

• Teams are encouraged to play with a minimum of 2 non-female identifying players on court. However, competition rules may specify the minimum number of non-female identifying players on court per team is zero (0), one (1), or two (2) for example EMMNA National league specifies a minimum of 2 non-females identifying players on court at all times.

• If a non-female identifying player is sent off (temporarily or permanently), the team continues with the remaining players on court.

• A team may make a substitution to bring on another non-female identifying player, if all gender split requirements are still adhered to.

• In mixed netball you will need a process to manage adherence designated playing positions. The example below is taken from the EMMNA league 2025 Mixed Guidance

• If a player, coach or team manager believes the opposition is not following the Mixed Netball requirements, they should notify the umpire after a goal has been scored and before the next centre pass.

• The umpire will hold time and consult with the team’s designated lead (coach, captain or safeguarding) to confirm whether the team is compliant.

• Players must not directly question or challenge an individual’s gender. This helps avoid the risk of misgendering and ensures respectful conduct.

• If the team is not compliant, they must make immediate changes before play resumes.

• Coaches and team managers are responsible for ensuring players understand and adhere to these requirements. Umpires are not responsible for checking gender compliance.

• It is important not to single out any individual player when raising a concern. Instead, address it as a team-wide issue to avoid misgendering and ensure a respectful approach.

• If a team identifies that they are not adhering to the gender split requirements, they should call time at the next available opportunity and make the necessary substitution as soon as possible.

• If the issue is identified by the team before the next centre pass, they should notify the umpire and correct the error immediately.

• Penalties for not adhering to the gender split requirements are determined by the competition rules of the event or league you are participating in.

• No, you would officiate the game in the same way.

• No, it is not the umpire’s responsibility to monitor or identify whether a team is adhering to the gender split requirements. This is the responsibility of the teams and competition organisers.

If a concern is raised by a player on court before a centre pass, follow the process in the competition regulations:

• Ask the team to confirm their gender split to ensure compliance.

• If the team confirms they are compliant, play continues.

• If the team identifies an issue, they must call time and make an immediate substitution before resuming play.

Any further action, such as potential sanctions, is determined by the competition rules or regulations and is not enforced by the umpire during the game.

Umpires should not engage in discussions about a player's gender eligibility during a match. If a challenge is raised

• Advise the coach/player that gender eligibility concerns must be addressed through the appropriate competition channels after the match.

• Do not allow discussions or disputes on court, as this is outside the umpire’s role to try and resolve.

• If the challenge disrupts play or creates an issue of respect or fair conduct, manage it in line with normal game control procedures (e.g., cautioning the coach or player if needed).

All gender eligibility concerns should be reported post-match to the competition organisers, who will handle them through their official processes.

Competition rules may specify whether the minimum number of non-female players on court per team is zero (0), one (1), or two (2).

If a player wants to change their playing category within the season, league organisers should review the request and ensure it complies with the eligibility criteria.

The only difference to single gender netball is the gender split on court.

Ensure they are fully aware of the EN Gender Eligibility & Participation Policy and Guidance

Ensure the requirements have been communicated and understood by the teams taking part in the league.

EMMNA Club Finder or EMMNA Player Connect

Safeguarding covered in guidelines

League organisers should ensure that all participants are aware of the safeguarding policies and procedures and provide a safe and supportive environment for everybody, specifically for young players.

• Changing room facilities vary across locations, and transgender and non-binary individuals may have different preferences for comfort, inclusion, and safety. Consider changing facilities when booking venues and ask what their policy is to ensure that there are appropriate facilities for all.

• To start a Mixed Netball club or introduce it to your existing club, first ensure you understand the EN Mixed Rules of Netball. Gauge interest among current members and recruit players, look to England men’s and Mixed netball associations competitions that you could enter.

• Please find further information about EMMNA: Home | England Men's and Mixed Netball Association along with opportunities to get involved via the club finder.

Competition rules may specify whether the minimum number of non-female players on court per team is zero (0), one (1), or two (2).

• EMMNA Regionally Split National Leagues: These leagues are organised by EMMNA and provide structured competition across different regions.

• Annual EMMNA National Championships

• Tournaments: EMMNA hosts various tournaments throughout the year, offering teams the chance to compete in shorter, high-intensity formats

• For more information contact EMMNA

Yes, players may participate in both Mixed Netball and single-gender competitions (men’s or women’s), provided they meet the eligibility criteria.