Gymnastics Australia unveils guidelines for transgender and gender inclusivity

Gymnastics Australia, with support from Pride in Sport, has today unveiled its Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Community Gymnastics.

The guidelines demonstrate the ongoing commitment from Gymnastics Australia to ensure a safe, welcoming, and accessible sport for all athletes, coaches, and community members, regardless of their gender identity. 

Stating that the release of the guidelines is another important step in cementing the sport’s core values of inclusivity and safety across all stakeholders and communities, and creating consistent guidelines that reflects the diversity of gymnastics across the country, Gymnastics Australia Chief Executive, Alexandra Ash advised “our commitment to transgender and gender diverse people involved in our sport is that gymnastics is and will continue to be a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background, or ethnicity.

“Diversity ensures our sport is better for all involved, and we want everyone to feel comfortable and supported as part of the gymnastics community.

“We also want all members to feel celebrated in who they are and see them continue to contribute to the diverse community and legacy of gymnastics as one of Australia’s most popular sports for young people.”

At a community level, engaging more than 800,000 Australians nationwide, gymnastics is one of the highest participation sports for Australians aged under 12 and the sport recognises the need to support and protect young Australians navigating their gender identity in sport. 

Alison Dunn, General Manager of the Eastern Gymnastics Club in the Melbourne suburb of Box Hill, welcomed the announcement, acknowledging that while her Club has always fostered a culture of inclusivity and diversity, organisational guidelines empower leaders in the sport to engage with and support diverse participants in a meaningful and consistent way.

Dunn shared “as a gymnastics community, we welcome participants, coaches, and members from all walks of life and as a Club, we want to ensure everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed as they are, where they are, regardless of their sex, gender identity, ability, skill level, or personal beliefs.

“We want more Australians to experience the unique benefits of participating in gymnastics at a community level and the sense of teamwork, camaraderie, and a feeling of belonging that comes with that. I am proud to be a part of an organisation that takes such a strong hold on initiatives such as this.”

Last week Gymnastics Australia was declared a participating Institution by the Commonwealth National Redress Scheme. Both initiatives demonstrate Gymnastics Australia’s organisational progress following the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Change the Routine report into gymnastics in Australia, two years ago. 

Gymnastics Australia has also increased investment in processes and systems to ensure child safeguarding, enhanced athlete-centred coaching and development pathways, and launched the Body Care framework - a framework for all sports.