'Not A Threat To Integrity Of The Sport': Canadian Cricketer Retires After ICC Bans Transgenders

McGahey candidly shared her perspective on the ICC ruling and its impact on the transgender community.

Cricketer Danielle McGahey announces retirement from international cricket.

Canadian cricketer Daniele McGahey announced her retirement from international cricket shortly after the International Cricket Council (ICC) enforced a ban on transgender cricketers in a groundbreaking decision on November 21. McGahey, who made history earlier in the year as the first transgender player in international cricket, expressed disappointment with the ICC's ruling and vowed to continue advocating for inclusivity.

In a heartfelt social media post, McGahey expressed the heaviness of her decision to retire from international cricket due to the ICC's ruling.

"Following the ICC’s decision this morning, it is with a very heavy heart that I must say that my international cricketing career is over. As quickly as it has begun, it must now end. Thank you so much to everybody who has supported me in my journey, from my all of my teammates, all of the opposition, the cricketing community, and my sponsor," wrote the 29-year-old cricketer.

The ICC introduced 'new gender eligibility regulations,' specifying that "any Male to Female participants who have been through any form of male puberty will not be eligible to participate in the international women’s game regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken"

The decision arrived at after a 9-month consultation involving stakeholders and led by the Medical Advisory Committee, has raised questions about discrimination within the global cricket body. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice emphasised the organisation's focus on inclusivity while prioritising "the integrity of the international women’s game and player safety."

McGahey candidly shared her perspective on the ICC ruling and its impact on the transgender community.

"While I hold my opinions on the ICC’s decision, they are irrelevant. What matters is the message being sent to millions of trans women today, a messaging say that we don’t belong. I promise I will not stop fighting for equality for us in our sport, we deserve the right to play cricket at the highest level, we are not a threat to the integrity or safety of the sport (sic)," McGahey stated.

Daniele McGahey, born on April 14, 1994, in Australia, had a strong passion for cricket. After relocating from Australia to Canada in February 2020, she socially transitioned in November of the same year and began her medical transition in May 2021. Her outstanding performance in domestic women's cricket included becoming the leading run-scorer at the 2023 Women's T20 National Championship, tallying an impressive 237 runs across three innings, which included the tournament's sole century.

McGahey made history as the first transgender cricketer to participate in international cricket in October, representing Canada in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 qualifier. In her international career for Canada, she played six matches and scored 118 runs.