Football Australia commences process to develop inclusion policy for transgender and gender-diverse athletes

March 31, 2023

Football Australia has initiated the development process for a High-Performance Inclusion Policy, specifically balancing the needs and inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse people in the sport, whilst ensuring we maintain the integrity of elite competitive football.

Advising that it "prides itself on being the most multicultural, diverse and inclusive sport" in the country, Football Australia has initiated a process for a High-Performance Inclusion Policy, specifically balancing the needs and inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse people in the sport, whilst ensuring we maintain the integrity of elite competitive football.

To support the inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse people in the game and as part of the policy development process, Football Australia has progressed planning and established a Football Working Group (FWG) responsible for crafting the policy and making recommendations for Football Australia approval prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

With the FWG to collaborate with the Australian Sports Commission - as well as several specialists and medical experts to ensure the Football Australia transgender and gender-diverse High Performance Inclusion Policy is based on objective and relevant information, data and criteria - Football Australia, Professional Footballers Australia, Australian Professional Leagues and state member federations are each represented on the FWG. The

Throughout the process, Football Australia will be delivering LGBTQI+ training and support resources to the football community through its partnership with Pride in Sport. The aim of this training will be to provide the Australian Football community with a greater understanding of the lived experience of LGBTQI+ communities and their participation in sport.

While Football Australia collaborates with key football stakeholders and expert groups to develop a transgender and gender-diverse high performance inclusion policy, the current position of Football Australia pending the FWG policy development and Football Australia review, remains to allow all players to participate in the competition which best represents their gender identity.

Football Australia will be adopting the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse people in sport to develop football’s own fit for purpose community guidelines.

Click here to view the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Guidelines.

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