Transgender Players
Varsity
The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) follows the policies adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as it relates to transgender student-athletes.
The NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, January 19, during a meeting at the 2022 NCAA Convention voted in support of a sport-by-sport approach to transgender participation that preserves opportunity for transgender student-athletes while balancing fairness, inclusion and safety for all who compete. The new policy, effective immediately, aligns transgender student-athlete participation for college sports with recent policy changes from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and International Olympic Committee.
Like the Olympics, the updated NCAA policy calls for transgender participation for each sport to be determined by the policy for the national governing body of that sport, subject to ongoing review and recommendation by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports to the Board of Governors. If there is no NGB policy for a sport, that sport’s international federation policy would be followed. If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would be followed.
The Board of Governors urged the divisions to provide flexibility to allow for additional eligibility if a transgender student-athlete loses eligibility based on the policy change provided they meet the newly adopted standards.
The policy is effective starting with the 2022 winter championships. Transgender student-athletes will need to document sport-specific testosterone levels beginning four weeks before their sport’s championship selections. Starting with the 2022-23 academic year, transgender student-athletes will need documented levels at the beginning of their season and a second documentation six months after the first. They will also need documented testosterone levels four weeks before championship selections. Full implementation would begin with the 2023-24 academic year.
Collegiate Club
Transgender Athlete Policy
- The Collegiate Water Polo Association is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable sports environment for all those who wish to participate. This policy aims to provide guidelines for the participation of transgender athletes at the collegiate club level, ensuring fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for all. Transgender athletes who identify as male may participate in the Co-ed League (commonly referred to as the Men’s League). Transgender athletes who identify as female are eligible to compete in both the Co-ed League and the Women’s League.
- To participate in the CWPA Women’s Club League, transgender athletes who identify as female must submit the following documents to the league office prior to the start of their competition:
1) Letter of Confirmation
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- A letter from the athlete, if an adult, or from the athlete’s parent/guardian, if a minor, confirming the athlete’s gender identity. This confirmation shall remain consistent throughout their tenure in the CWPA.
2) Medical Validation
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- Athletes must provide one of the following:
- Testosterone Levels: Demonstrating that their total testosterone level in serum is below 10 nmol/L within 60 days prior to their first competition.
- Written Confirmation from Healthcare Physician: Written confirmation of the start of physical gender transitioning/testosterone suppression from a qualified healthcare physician not related to the athlete.
- Athletes must provide one of the following:
Privacy and Confidentiality
- CWPA is dedicated to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of transgender athletes. Personal information related to gender identity, health records, and other supporting evidence will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Appeal Process
- Every athlete has the right to appeal their eligibility when they perceive their circumstances as exceptional. The CWPA is dedicated to ensuring a just and accessible appeal process. Athletes must submit their appeal with supporting evidence to the Club Governance Council using the official Appeal Form:
