The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) supports diversity and inclusion in all aspects of wheelchair basketball. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on gender eligibility to participate in recreational and competitive wheelchair basketball managed and operated by the NWBA. This policy was written with the intent to create inclusive sporting environment where people of all backgrounds can contribute and play wheelchair basketball. NWBA’s goal is to allow all athletes access to wheelchair basketball in a healthy and respectful environment.
This policy is based on NWBA’s belief that recreational wheelchair basketball should incorporate an inclusive policy that focuses on allowing athletes to participate on a team that is consistent with their gender identity.
The vast majority of NWBA’s programs, regardless of age or competition level, are co-ed play and not restricted by gender. As such, all NWBA players are eligible to participate in all NWBA divisions regardless of gender at birth, gender identity, transgender status, gender transition status and other forms of gender expression.
An NWBA athlete must declare their desired gender identity and preference of gender for competition during the individual registration process for an NWBA season.
Any NWBA athlete may update their gender identity at any time, to formally and appropriately make this change the individual must submit a Change to Registration Request to the NWBA.
The following are the application methods of this policy:
Click the tabs below to learn more about the common terminology used with our Gender Eligibility Policy
Which divisions or teams does this policy apply to?
This policy is applicable in all NWBA registered teams and individuals who desire to play wheelchair basketball as a participating athlete at any NWBA sanctioned events. However, this policy is NOT applicable to wheelchair basketball played in any other leagues, events or programs (high school, etc.) within the U.S., which will be governed by organizations sanctioning those activities and events.
Are NWBA programs and events separated by gender?
The vast majority of NWBA’s programs, regardless of age or competition level, are co-ed play and not restricted by gender. As such, all NWBA players are eligible to participate in all NWBA divisions regardless of gender at birth, gender identity, transgender status, gender transition status and other forms of gender expression.
How do I properly let competitions know of my athletes gender identity?
An NWBA athlete must declare their desired gender identity or preference of gender for competition during the individual registration process for an NWBA season. Any NWBA athlete may update their gender identity at any time, to formally and appropriately make this change the individual must submit a Change to Registration Request to the NWBA. All request to changes to gender identity must be received by the NWBA 10 days prior to any sanctioned event to allow for the change to take effect.
How does this policy impact classification?
All individuals identifying with a preference of competition gender of female will adhere to current rules for classification points for a female athlete. Please refer to divisional guidelines and rules for information on division specific rules, which are available at https://www.nwba.org/divisioninfo.
Click through the links below to learn more and gain a better understanding of the Gender Eligibility Policy and other topics surrounding it.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) releases “Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations”
NCAA announced it supports a sport-by-sport approach to transgender participation.
USOPC AAC STATEMENT ON TRANSGENDER & NONBINARY ATHLETE INCLUSION
Fairplay (Center for American Progress)
NCAA’s Guide on the Inclusion of Transgender Student-Athletes