Our aim has always been to ensure that all our policies are legally compliant, fair, inclusive, and underpinned by the best available guidance.
We stated at the time we would communicate openly as this process progresses and we now have an update to share.
During the early development of the new policy, we needed to review in detail the UK Supreme Court ruling which defines the legal meaning of "woman" as someone born biologically female. This legal clarification significantly impacted the direction of our policy work and required us to accelerate the timeline to implement a new compliant framework for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Throughout this process, we sought independent legal advice. The guidance was clear: to remain legally compliant and aligned with other major UK sports, our policy must reflect the Supreme Court's definition. As such, Basketball England’s updated policy confirms that participation in the female category is open only to those who are biologically female at birth. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Participation remains mixed and open for all children up to and including the Under-12 age group. From the Under-14 age group onward, participation in male or female categories will be based solely on biological sex assigned at birth. All participants are eligible to play in mixed or open basketball.
We acknowledge that this update comes with a short timeframe and will be difficult for some in our community. We want to be transparent: this has not been an easy decision, nor one taken lightly. Work on this policy began in October 2024, and while we initially anticipated a more extended period of consultation, the legal ruling meant we had to move swiftly to ensure the sport operates within lawful and safe parameters.
As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion, we will use this coming season to gather better insights and feedback so we can further evaluate the policy in time for the 2026/27 season. We are committed to improving our insight with all stakeholders in this matter.
It is important to stress that this policy is about eligibility criteria, not exclusion. Our priority is to uphold fairness, safety and legal integrity in our sport, while also supporting all members in continuing their journey in basketball - whether on the court or through other roles.
We are also putting in place:
This policy will remain in place throughout the 2025/26 season, and we are committed to reviewing its impact and effectiveness in the year ahead.
To read the full policy, FAQs and guidance and the exemption policy please click the buttons below.
Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to the game we all love.
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