Following the decision by USA Rugby last week to ban trans women from competing on women’s teams, rugby clubs across Ohio have spoken out condemning the decision as being a betrayal to their inclusive sport.
USA Rugby, the United States governing body for the sport, said they needed to update their eligibility guidelines due to an executive order from the Trump administration to rescind federal funds and support from institutions – including schools and the International Olympic Committee – that allow trans women to compete on women’s sports teams.
Under the new USA Rugby guidelines, “the Women’s Division is limited to individuals who are assigned female at birth.”
USA Rugby further created an “Open Division.”
“The Open Division will permit any athlete, regardless of gender assigned at birth and gender identity, to compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned events, whether full contact or non-contact,” USA Rugby said in a statement.
In response to these changes, Ohio rugby clubs took to social media to denounce the new USA Rugby rules:
Akron Women’s Rugby Club
Cleveland Iron Maidens Rugby
Cincinnati Kelts Rugby Football Club
Cincinnati Wolfhounds
Columbus Kodiaks Rugby Football Club
Columbus Squirrels Rugby Club
Columbus Coyotes Rugby Football Club
Dayton Area Rugby Club
Toledo Celtics Women’s Rugby
Midwest Rugby Union
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