Updated LTA Trans and Non-Binary Policy
• 2 minute read
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently published a new Code of Practice on the interpretation of the Equality Act. In line with the requirements of this Code, the LTA is revising its Trans and Non-Binary policy so that rules relating to the participation of transgender and non-binary individuals will now apply to all Structured Competitions within all venues.
This means that the policy restricting transgender women’s participation in competitions will be extended from competitions between individuals from different venues (what was formerly called Specified Competitions) to all Structured Competitions, including those taking place solely within venues. There remain no restrictions on social play.
Background
In 2024, the LTA introduced a new Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals Policy, seeking to balance its two responsibilities as the National Governing Body for Tennis and Padel: to ensure competition is fair; and to make sure the sports are also welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
The policy was based on available evidence, in particular the work carried out by the Sports Councils Equality Group. This 2024 Policy recognised that tennis was a gender affected sport, and restricted transgender women and non-binary individuals who were male at birth from playing in the women’s category in competitions taking place between individuals from different clubs or counties – what was called ‘specified competition’.
The policy stated that for competitions taking place between players from the same club and venues (non-specified competitions) it was for those clubs and venues to determine their own approach.
Updated policy
As a result of the EHRC’s new Code of Practice, we are revising our Policy, including to restrict transgender women and non-binary individuals of male sex at birth from playing in the women’s category in all Structured Competition.
Structured Competition means all organised competition which is sex-categorised and from which there is a consequence, such as progressing to a next round, determining a place in a league or ladder, or contributing to the players’ rating. This will apply to all sex-categorised competitions including competitions run within venues, such as club championships.
For other play, where there is either no sex categorisation (e.g. where the competition is explicitly open for either sex to play in) or no consequence of play (e.g. a friendly game played by choice between friends), there are no restrictions.
Implementation
This policy will come into force from 1 September to align with the start of the winter competition season beginning on that day.
This policy applies to domestic British competitions for which the LTA has responsibility. The LTA does not have responsibility for setting the rules at international tennis and padel competitions (adult and junior) played in this country.
For example, the rules at The Championships at Wimbledon, ATP and WTA tournaments at Queen’s, Eastbourne and Nottingham, ATP Challenger or ITF World Tennis Tour Events, or FIP padel events played in this country, will be set by the relevant governing body and not by the LTA.
A full copy of the policy is below, along with specific guidance for venues, players and officials.
