Swim England has said it will stop transgender women from competing in its licensed female competitions, instead introducing a separate open category.
The open category is for those “with a birth sex of male, trans or non-binary competitors and any competitor not eligible for the female category”.
Swim England said the new policy was “justified and proportionate in the pursuit of fair competition”.
It added that “inclusion and fairness” was at its “very heart”.
The new policy applies to swimming – indoor and outdoor – artistic swimming, diving and water polo and will come into effect on 1 September.
It refers only to Swim England competitions and includes those organised by the body’s member regions, counties and clubs.
In June 2022, swimming’s world governing body Fina banned transgender swimmers from women’s elite events if they went through male puberty. It also said it was aiming to establish an ‘open’ category.
Swim England’s policy differs across various disciplines and contains provision for self-identification at lower-level unlicensed or recreational events.
Events where the new open category will be used include licensed competitions and events where times can be submitted to national rankings.
“In order for all aquatic disciplines to be enjoyed as sport, there must be inclusive opportunities for transgender participants to compete,” Swim England said.
“However, it is widely recognised that fairness of competition must be protected and Swim England believes the creation of open and female categories is the best way to achieve this.
“The updated policy ensures there are entry-level competitive opportunities for transgender people to participate in the majority of our disciplines within their gender identity.
“In order to progress further, however, the Female/Open categories are utilised as a means to protect fair competition within the sporting pathway.
“Those that participate in aquatics recreationally should be able to do so, in a fully inclusive environment, free from discrimination.”
Scottish Swimming acknowledged Swim England’s new policy and said a working group had been created to draft a competition policy and guidance document over the coming months.
