British Universities & College Sport (BUCS) & Competitive Sports
Policies around Transgender Student Athletes
Swansea University Students’ Union (SUSU) and Sport Swansea do not currently have its own policy regarding transgender and non-binary athletes, and how those who identify in those communities can participate in competitive sports. SUSU & Sport Swansea currently refer to the national British Universities & Colleges Sport BUCS policy alongside other national governing bodies policies. At Swansea University, we deliver nearly 60 different sports with different national governing bodies and many of these national governing bodies have more comprehensive transgender policies than others.
Below, you will find some of the key and most relevant information taken out of the BUCS Transgender Policy.
Those who transition from female to male are eligible to compete in the male category without restriction.
Those who transition from male to female are eligible to compete in the female category under the following conditions:
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The athlete has declared that her gender identity is female. The declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four years.
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The athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to her first competition (with the requirement for any longer period to be based on a confidential case-by-case evaluation, considering whether or not 12 months is a sufficient length of time to minimise any advantage in women’s competition).
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The athlete's total testosterone level in serum must remain below 10 nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female category.
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Compliance with these conditions may be monitored by testing. In the event of noncompliance, the athlete’s eligibility for female competition will be suspended for 12 months.
A copy of the full BUCS policy can be found here.
Guidelines for specific sports can be found on their governing bodies websites.
Non Competitive Club Sport & Social Leagues
We welcome all transgender students to take part in non-competitive sports and our social leagues.
Get ACTIVE
Get ACTIVE promotes participation in physical activity at recreational and social levels. Due to the non-competitive nature of Get ACTIVE, all trans students, regardless of stage of transition, are welcome to participate in Get ACTIVE activity sessions.
Disability Sport
One problem faced for students with a disability is they are unaware of the opportunities for them to play sport. In Swansea University we want to help students find a sport or activity that is right for them. If you would like to inform us of your disability so we can help you with this, please complete the survey here.
I genuinely couldn't give more credit to Swansea Uni or the programme with how supportive they have been. Nothing is too much to ask for and there is always someone to talk to or help out whether that's with timetables, exams or training. It's flexible and challenging but beneficial because it allows me to train and study without feeling too much pressure. 3 years with the programme has flown by and I would recommend this to anyone.
- Grant Taylor, TASS Athlete and Para-Swimmer and Skier