The Charlotte Royals rugby team have moved to the new USA Rugby Open Division to protest new policy changes. In response to Executive Order 14201, which requires women’s sports to be limited to biological females, USA Rugby updated its eligibility, prompting the clubs to shift to an inclusive “Open” category rather than exclude trans women
Trump signed Executive Order 14201 on Jan. 20 to protect women’s rights and change the definition of “sex” referring to people’s biological gender. Order 14201 states, “The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system. Basing Federal policy on truth is critical to scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, and trust in government itself.”
Trump writes, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.” He continues, “The Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality.” Order 14201 has caused public and federal organizations to change their programs, including USA Rugby.
To appease the Trump administration’s anti-trans order, USA Rugby requires that all players participate in divisions that match their gender at birth. Posted on the USA Rugby website the organization states, “In response to the United States Administration’s issuance of Executive Order 14201, which the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has determined applies to all National Governing Bodies (NGBs), USA Rugby is required to comply and update the terms that identify eligibility for gender categories.”
The organization understands that many rugby players will be affected by these changes so they have added a new division. “In accordance with the policy update, USA Rugby will now have three competition categories; Men’s Division, Women’s Division and Open Division.” USA Rugby explains. “The Open Division will permit any athlete, regardless of gender assigned at birth and gender identity, to compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned events, whether full contact or non-contact. Open Division events will be granted following a review process and approved on a per-tournament basis.”
As a form of protest a couple of Rugby teams have moved to the Open Division. The Charlotte Royals have gained the most attention for transferring.
Formed in 2004, a group of gay men saw little space for queer players. After joining other teams’ scrimmage the group believed “the Queen City was ready for some royalty, and formed the Charlotte Royals,” founding the team on principles of equality and inclusion.
Now the Royals have over 40 players and welcome anyone, regardless of their knowledge on the sport. The team prides itself on supporting the LGBTQ+ community so there is no surprise when the team states, “The Charlotte Royals believe that trans women are women. Banning trans players hurts everyone in the sport and the larger community. We will be using the Open Division for any sanctioned matches we engage in, and encourage other clubs/unions to do the same.”
Mother Ruckers, a women’s rugby team (also based in Charlotte), joins the Royals in the “Open” division. On Feb. 28 the team posted information discussing the changes made in USA Rugby. They added that other teams should join them in the Open division as a protest. In another post, teammate Mads McDonald comments, “While I find myself at a loss of words, I know it’s more important than ever to keep talking about the policy, emailing USA rugby, contacting our unions, and using our voices for solidarity!”
Many fans are excited that teams are supporting trans players and switching to the Open division. Comments on the Mother Ruckers and Royals page commended the teams for shifting to the division and people have expressed a new found interest in rugby because of the teams’ support in the LGBTQ+ community.
But there are others that aren’t as welcoming to the Open Division.
The Independent Council of Women’s Sports (ICONS) is a network and advocacy group made up of former and current collegiate and professional athletes, families and others. When they heard about the “Open” division they felt it focused on trans women rather than biological women. They told Fox News, “Rather than solving the problem, USA Rugby updated its policy with a feeble attempt to claim compliance with USOPC’s [United States Olympic and Paralympic Community] directive while appeasing these men by creating a new “Open” division alongside the existing men’s and women’s divisions.”
The group continues, “In practice, however, dominant voices within the sport are leading many women’s teams to declare they will compete in the Open division so that male players can continue to siphon off opportunities from women’s rugby. USA Rugby is failing in its obligation to ensure fair competition and to expand and protect the future of women’s rugby.”