England’s recreational fishing governing body, The Angling Trust, has stirred controversy with its latest participation policy, which effectively bars transgender anglers from competing in the women’s category. This decision follows a series of resignations by members of the England ladies shore fishing team who objected to competing alongside transgender teammate Becky Lee Birtwhistle Hodges.
In June, the team’s former captain, Heather Lindfield, stepped down, expressing concerns that Hodges possessed an unfair advantage due to increased upper-body strength, which she believed allowed Hodges to cast lines further. In September, three more members of the team resigned in solidarity with Lindfield.
The Angling Trust, while announcing its decision, cited concerns over Hodges having an “unfair strength advantage” in events involving casting and handling strong winds and currents.
Jamie Cook, the trust’s chief executive, acknowledged the emotive nature of the subject, stating, “This is an extremely emotive subject and one we have seen a number of other sports struggle with. The evidence generated through our review process established that strength, stamina, and physical attributes have the potential to offer competitors a significant advantage and impact fairness.”
The updated policy, effective immediately, permits trans women to participate in the open category for both domestic and international events. Cook emphasized that angling has a tradition of open events, with national and world championships already categorized as universal (open), allowing the best anglers to compete regardless of gender.
Transgender participation in sports remains a contentious issue, with several governing bodies implementing bans on transgender athletes. However, some reports, like one commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, indicate that following existing rules, trans women do not have an advantage over cisgender women in elite sports.
In August, British Rowing banned trans women from competing in the female category at the elite level, and in the following month, angling’s international federation, the Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive, declared it “absolutely discriminatory” to allow trans women to compete in its ladies category.
The decision by The Angling Trust underscores the ongoing debate surrounding transgender participation in sports and the challenge of striking a balance between inclusivity and maintaining a level playing field.