Must fling open its doors
There will be no one policy that will capture all the shades of difference and concern held by those who play rugby.
Those sexist attitudes, held by those in positions of power, are still the biggest threat to the women’s game. So forgive me if I find the sudden concern for my welfare disingenuous.
Where were you when your women’s team was moved to the potholed pitch in order for the men to train? Where were you when your women’s team was overlooked again at the award ceremony? ‘‘player welfare issues’’. Now it’s up to New Zealand Rugby to lay down its guidelines for the grassroots game, with a draft regulation coming out for consultation in the next few weeks.
Since 2019, there have been eight requests for dispensation from trans rugby players in New Zealand.
Despite my obsession with our game, it seems it just isn’t that popular with the trans community. Given how they see rugby treats women, queer folk and players who are not of Pā kehā decent, I do not blame them.
However, I do welcome them. For us to make our sport safe for trans men, trans women and non-binary participation, we will need to pull these issues of diversity and inclusion to the fore. We will need to start having real conversations about modernising spaces, diversifying all positions and think hard about what it means to prioritise player welfare both on and off the field.
Simply put, rugby that is safe for trans players is safe for everyone.
Trans folks’ existence challenges binary thinking. There will be no one policy that will capture all the shades of difference and concern held by those who play rugby.
However, a commitment to inclusion throws the clubroom doors open to whomever may wish to enjoy our game. The same game that was built to celebrate the full spectrum of bodies, after all.
This story was originally published on Locker Room at Newsroom.co.nz and is republished with permission