East London Rugby Football Club are urging sport governing body the Rugby Football Union to “do the right thing” and think again over a proposed ban on transgender women playing female contact rugby.

The RFU are expected to agree the proposal on 29 July, claiming that players whose sex “was assigned male at birth” should not be allowed to play in the women’s category because of safety and fairness concerns. It is a significant U-turn by the RFU, which has previously allowed transgender women to play at grassroots club level provided they undergo an independent medical assessment.

East London’s ladies’ side the Vixens and Kings Cross Steelers RFC with whom East London RFC and the Vixens are affiliated and share clubhouse facilities in Memorial Park, West Ham, have started a petition calling on the RFU not change their current gender participation policy. The petition states: “This draconian step is not in the values of our game. We call on the RFU to maintain the current case by case policy that protects our game and ensures a route for participation. A ban is never the answer. Let those who want to play, play.” The club has also signed a letter to Essex County RFU asking them not to support the proposal when the RFU meets.

East London Club Chair Simon Crick said: “The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is an important and integral part of the East London rugby. We fully support fairness, acceptance, respect and equality in rugby. We welcome all players regardless of gender or background. Everyone is accepted, supported and valued as individuals.”

East London Vixens transgender player Alix Fitzgerald (pictured), the team’s most improved player in the 2018/19 season, has recorded an emotive video telling why the game and East London RFC is so important to her. It can be viewed by clicking on the image above or by using the link here: https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/1FyiCmZEGFRlM25fGmBht?domain=vimeo.com

Kat Salthouse, Vixens player and vice-chair and women’s rugby officer on the club’s management committee, said: “We want the RFU to do the right thing, support inclusion, celebrate difference, reject any policy that brings in a ban and help us prove clearly that rugby is for all, including players such as Alix. Regardless of shape, size, or how you identify, there's a place for you on the rugby pitch.

“Alix is an integral part of our team. We embraced and nurtured her like every other player that becomes part of our rugby family. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with her on and off the pitch as we all represent the East London badge with pride.”

If you want to sign the petition visit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdx2-uET7WuTbAM18b9ishL-hXE7LUtGh6apVtgvTCs7jcYaQ/viewform