Hockey Australia is one of nine peak sport bodies committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for trans and gender-diverse people in their competitions.
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In a joint launch spearheaded by ACON's Pride in Sport, Hockey Australia released its inclusion guidelines for community levels at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.
They follow in the footsteps of Cricket Australia, who introduced a landmark policy last year that ensures trans and gender-diverse people can play at both elite and community levels.
Hockeyroos Kalindi Commerford, Greta Hayes and Steph Kershaw have pledged their support to the initiative as ambassadors, with the former hoping it will help normalise the participation of trans and gender-diverse athletes.
"That's the exciting bit, if you open up the doors to see who will come forward and what sort of impact it can have. It's not just an impact on the sporting realm, it's an impact on someone's life," Commerford said.
"For me, if there's any adverse comments or thoughts around it, the good outweighs that for me. I can only see good coming from this."
The new guidelines for community hockey supports players to participate in competitions that best reflect their gender identity.
All state and territory member associations contributed to its development, with Pride in Sport helping guide the process.
The policies ensure participants have the freedom to wear uniforms which align with their gender identity, as well as recognising the need for better access to adequate facilities.
"Why shouldn't community sport be enjoyed by everyone? There's so many benefits to playing sport other than having a competitive outlet - there's the social side of it, as well as personal growth and development," Commerford said.
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"I know for me sport has allowed me to grow on an individual level. For someone who has so far in their life been faced with discrimination towards being trans or gender diverse, sport can offer a social network - they can potentially link up with others who are experiencing similar things or start growing a knowledge bubble around it.
"But also the personal growth that can happen within, sport can help grow confidence. Those are all things that people who may have been discriminated against can benefit from. I don't see there being any negative impact in having inclusivity guidelines and welcoming all people."
Hockey Australia will now look to develop guidelines for the elite level in accordance with the International Hockey Federation regulations.
AFL, Netball Australia, Rugby Australia, Tennis Australia, Touch Football Australia, UniSport Australia and Water Polo Australia also took part in the launch, unveiling their new inclusion guidelines.
Another 13 sports confirmed a commitment to developing trans and gender diverse inclusive frameworks.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
