Dear Biathlon Australia family,
We are pleased to announce that the Board of Biathlon Australia has adopted an inclusion policy to support gender diversity within our sport. This policy aligns with the Gender Diversity and Inclusion guidelines set forth by Snow Australia and Sport Australia (June 2019) to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for transgender and gender-diverse participants in community snowsports.
You can find the policy here.
Gender Diversity and Inclusion Policy Overview
Biathlon Australia is committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment that allows all individuals to engage in our sport. We recognise the importance of social inclusion, especially at the community level, and seek to prioritise this over perceived concerns about competitive advantage for gender-diverse athletes.
Key Points of the Policy:
1. Commitment to Inclusion
o Biathlon Australia prioritises creating a safe and inclusive space for all competitors in community snowsports events.
2. Community vs. Competitive Pathways
o The focus at the community snowsports level is on participation, enjoyment, and inclusion. Competitors progressing to national or international levels will be guided by the IBU regulations, which govern competitive fairness and eligibility criteria.
3. Support for Gender-Diverse Athletes at Various Age Levels
o Under 12 - Division 4-6 at Interschools events: Participants under 12 may compete in community events as the gender with which they identify, with parental agreement.
o Ages 12 to 17 - Divisions 1-3 at Interschools events: Participants in this age group who identify as female or male should compete in their identified category. Gender-diverse and non-binary participants are encouraged to join in the category where they feel most comfortable.
o Age 18 and Above - at Community snowsports events : All adult participants in community snowsports can compete in the category where they feel most comfortable. Biathlon Australia will work with other event organisers to extend this inclusive approach in all community events.
We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with these guidelines, as they represent an important step forward in making biathlon and community snowsports more accessible and inclusive for all Australians.
For further information or questions about the policy, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for supporting our mission to create an open and welcoming environment for all biathlon athletes and enthusiasts.
David, Sandy, Brett, Libby, Katerina, Mark and Murray.
