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Jul 11, 2023

Canadian set to become first transgender international cricketer

A Canadian is set to become the first transgender cricketer to play in an official international match. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Subscribe now to read the

A Canadian is set to become the first transgender cricketer to play in an official international match.

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Danielle McGahey has been named to Canada’s squad for a qualifying tournament ahead of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in Bangladesh. Should McGahey take to the pitch, the 29-year-old will become the first transgender competitor to take part in an official international match.

McGahey reportedly meets all eligibility requirements for transgender players, as set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), to play in the qualifying tournament taking place Sept. 4-11 in in Los Angeles.

McGahey told BBC Sport: “I am absolutely honoured. To be able to represent my community is something I never dreamed I would be able to do.”

The opening batter moved to Canada from Australia — where she played men’s club cricked in Melbourne — in 2020 and joined men’s team Cavaliers CC in Regina, Sask. prior to transitioning later that year.

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McGahey’s inclusion in the squad has already drawn criticism from a group called the Women’s Rights Network (WRN), whose stated mission is to “defend the sex-based rights of women.”

A spokesperson for WRN said the ICC’s policy to include trans women is “unfair and unsafe,” as they have a “significant advantage” over competitors who were born female.

According to the ICC’s regulations, trans women wishing to compete internationally must demonstrate “the concentration of testosterone in her serum has been less than 5 nmol/L1 continuously for a period of at least 12 months, and that she is ready, willing and able to continue to keep it below that level for so long as she continues to compete.”

The player must also “provide a written and signed declaration, in a form satisfactory to the designated medical officer, that her gender identity is female.”

McGahey’s inclusion comes at a time when several other sports’ governing bodies have banned transgender women from competition, with many creating “open” categories for athletes.

McGahey told the BBC she hasn’t experienced any animosity since switching to women’s cricket.

“I can’t recall a single negative experience, particularly on the field or off the field with my team,” she told the news outlet. “Everyone has been incredibly supportive.

“I’m very open about my transitioning and for me it is all about inspiring the next and the next, and going from there.”

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