British Rowing has today announced a new policy on Competition Eligibility and Procedures which will come into effect on Monday, 11 September 2023
Competition eligibility under British Rowing’s jurisdiction will from that date be in three categories, as follows:
1. Open Category
- All individuals will be eligible to compete in the Open category.
2. Women’s Category
- Only individuals who are assigned female at birth will be eligible to compete in competitions under British Rowing’s jurisdiction and/or be selected to represent Great Britain, or England, in international events.
3. Mixed Category
- Competition organisers can offer Mixed Events at any level of competition, providing 50% of crew are eligible from the women’s category stated above.
The statement goes on to acknowledge the following:
British Rowing is committed to promoting an environment in which rowing is accessible and inclusive and to ensuring that we provide opportunities and enjoyment for everyone. In order to achieve this in a fair manner, we need to establish conditions for competition that guarantee fair and meaningful competition by placing necessary and proportionate restrictions on eligibility. We already do so in lightweight and adaptive rowing categories, and we are now doing so in the women’s category.
Our policy has been developed following extensive and ongoing research and consultation with stakeholders, the rowing community, academics, and other relevant organisations, and NGBs since 2021 and is based on the scientific evidence available at this time. The eligibility requirements of World Rowing, our international federation, have also been considered in the context of our decisions.
British Rowing is committed to the annual review of this policy and its procedures within 12 months of its most recent update to ensure that our approach is consistent with latest guidance, science, information, and studies. This will include, where possible, further dedicated rowing specific research into this area.
For the full announcement + FAQs, head over to https://www.britishrowing.org/2023/08/british-rowing-updates-competition-eligibility-policy-and-procedures/
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