Wed, July 09, 2025
Table Tennis England Transgender Policy consultation open
Table Tennis England (TTE) has devised a Transgender Policy and is seeking feedback via a consultation period which is open until 20 July 2025. The policy sets out TTE’s position on the inclusion of transgender and non-binary people in table tennis. It has been approved by the Table Tennis England board and has been influenced by the recent Supreme Court judgement on the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010. References to ‘sex,’ ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in the Equality Act now refer to biological sex (a person’s sex at birth).
The following requirements are included in TTE’s Transgender Policy which will come into effect for the 2026-27 season:
Non-Regulated 5.1 - Any player wishing to participate in table tennis at a local/grassroots level including in any non-regulated competition or event may do so, without restriction. There are, therefore, no conditions regarding any individual playing in a non-regulated competition or event in accordance with their self-determined or affirmed gender in these competitions and events. Any Transgender or Non-Binary player in the first instance is recommended to approach their affiliated organisation for support if required.
Gender within table tennis 6.1 - For the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, regulated table tennis is a gender-affected activity of a competitive nature where the physical strength, stamina and/or physique of average women puts them at a disadvantage compared to average men. Accordingly, the law permits sports governing bodies (1) to organise separate sporting competitions for men and women, and (2) to impose restrictions on the eligibility of Transgender and Non-Binary players to participate in sport if such restrictions are necessary to secure (1) the safety of competitors, and/or (2) fair competition.
It is also worth noting that eligibility for transgender men (biological women) is in the men’s competition. This Transgender Policy does not apply to table tennis events which are not governed by TTE.
TTE’s consultation period which involves filling out an online form is open until 23.59pm on Sunday 20 July 2025. TTE is eager to gather people’s thoughts, and you will not be identifiable through your responses to this survey. TTE will consider if any changes to the policy are required following the consultation, which will be made and provided to the Board of Directors at the end of 2025.
TTE’s full statement can be found here.
