Transgender participation policy updated following post-launch review

When we launched our policy for transgender participation in August 2022, we committed to ensuring it remains appropriate by reviewing every quarter as a minimum. 

Since launching we have been grateful to receive feedback from more than 200 people. We’ve taken these comments on board and, following a recent Board meeting, have now published an updated policy as planned. 

The biggest change relates to mixed competitions. The policy previously stated that where a mixed volleyball competition requires teams to stick to a ratio of male and female players (for example a minimum of three females), that players must play as their gender at birth.  

This has now been changed to allow players to play as the gender they identify.

Rob Payne, Interim Deputy CEO, said: “Mixed volleyball is a special part of our sport as it’s extremely inclusive by nature. On reflection, we realised our policy did not offer the right level of inclusivity for mixed volleyball, which is why we’ve made this important change.”

Please read this document for an overview of the policy changes.

Our transgender participation policy will next be reviewed in February 2023. If you have any comments or feedback, please take the time to share them with us.