Boxing New Zealand is to establish an Open category to allow transgender athletes to compete.
BNZ president Steve Hartley said the sport is working on how to include people who do not identify as their biological sex, whilst upholding the right for safe and fair competition for all participants.
The executive board of the organistion does not believe athletes should be allowed to self-identify which sex category they compete in.
"Our priority first and foremost is the safety of competitors in our sport, all competitors, regardless of any sexual persuasion or gender preference," said Hartley.
"There is potential for injury or worse if the margins of safety are breached. This is why boxing has sex specific, age specific and weight specific categories to maximise the inclusion of as many people as possible in this great sport, while also prioritizing safe and fair competition for all."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Boxing New Zealand has participated in Sport New Zealand's consultation on their draft guidelines for transgender inclusion in community sport.
Harltey said as part of this process Boxing New Zealand raised concerns with Sport New Zealand about athletes being able to self-identify which sex category they would compete in even if they have not undertaken any form of medical transition.
BNZ maintains the physical advantage of a male boxer over a female boxer is significant and even if a male has taken to steps to supress testosterone this will never fully reverse the effects of a testosterone fuelled puberty on their strength, stamina, and physique.
"The safety of, and fairness for, female boxers is not up for negotiation and Boxing New Zealand will not be implementing gender self-identification in the Male or Female categories."
Boxing gloves Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
"We will not allow male people who have undergone puberty and who may be undertaking a medical transition to participate in the female category given the evidence around retained advantage. This is consistent with decisions recently made by other sporting organisations including the World Boxing Council, World Triathlon, and World Rugby."
Nor will Boxing NZ allow people who may be undertaking a medical transition or have transitioned from female to male, to participate in the male or female category.
"We have to continue to ensure all competitors, regardless of gender identification, are correctly matched in terms of age, weight and gender," said Trish Howie the President of the Boxing NZ Referee's and Judge's Association.
Boxing New Zealand said it will work with interested community members on the creation of an open category for gender diverse boxers and anyone else who claims to not fit in the traditional gender categories.
Open Class:
· A person born female who identifies as male and has undertaken or is in the process of a medical transition.
· A person born male who identifies as female and may or may not have undertaken or is in the process of a medical transition post puberty.
· A person who is does not qualify for either the male or the female categories.
-RNZ
