Background to our Trans Inclusion in Sport and Physical Activity

Gendered Intelligence has been working to improve the inclusion of trans people in sport and physical activity (SPA) almost since the organisation was founded in 2008. From the early days, we knew trans people struggled to access sport, but that they loved it just as much as anyone else when enabled to take part. Activities on our summer camps and trans only swimming events showed us that young trans people wanted to take part and had a great time when they did!

Since then, we have worked in a variety of ways to improve trans people’s access to SPA:
 
 - Working with the Football Association, developing their ground-breaking Grassroots ‘Guide to Including Trans People in Football’ (issued Mar 2016)

- Consulting with / training several National Governing Bodies such as the Royal Yachting Association, English Cricket Board, British Gymnastics, England Golf and BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport).

- Working with front-line providers of sport and leisure, including leisure centres, university sports facilities, swimming facilities, architects specialising in sport facilities, school / college PE staff, and local grassroots clubs.

- Foregrounding a ‘Sport’ strand in our 2018 conference ‘TransForming Spaces’, with speakers from the FA, Brighton Flat Track Roller Derby team and Sport England.

- Presenting on trans and non-binary inclusion at Pride Sports’ 2019 conference and in their 2021 and 2022 webinar series; at the international World Pride Sports Leaders Conference (Copenhagen 2021); take part in panels, e.g. at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Pride House.

- Carrying out qualitative research with trans people and NGBs to inform and illustrate our work

- Developing and delivering training for NGBs and Active Partnerships, originally as part of a Sport England funded project, now offered independently as part of our wider training offer

- Alongside this, we aim to encourage trans people themselves to take up, or return to, physical activity and sport and enjoy all the benefits that can bring.

Gendered Intelligence aims to support SPA organisations to make a positive, practical difference to trans inclusion.

We know that by increasing knowledge and confidence, we can enable providers to create and implement realistic, welcoming, everyday trans inclusive policies and practices.

We do this through providing consultancy, information, guidance and training to all types and levels of SPA providers and settings.