Testimony from Georgie - Competitive Footballer in her 20’s

Please describe your football journey. How did you start playing football? How big a part of your life is it? What does the sport mean to you?

I started playing football when I was around five years old. I grew up around the game, my two brothers played, and so did my uncle, so football quickly became a huge part of my life. It’s not just a sport to me; it’s my passion. Over the years, I’ve also spent time coaching and even completed my refereeing course. Football gives me a sense of peace and purpose. When I’m on the pitch, all the noise in my head quiets down, my focus sharpens, I feel calm, focused, and completely present. It’s played a massive role in supporting my mental health and overall well-being, and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it. It’s been there for me through everything, physically, mentally, and socially over the years.

What was your reaction when you heard about the FA banning transgender women from playing in FA-affiliated women’s football?

When I heard about the FA’s decision, it gave me a deep sense of reassurance, like something that had been sitting heavy for too long was finally acknowledged. I was happy that something was being done to protect the integrity of the women’s game, a space that means so much to me and so many other women and girls. This isn’t about excluding anyone. It’s about recognising the importance of fairness and safety in sport. Women’s football has come a long way, and this feels like a step towards ensuring that it remains a space where female athletes can compete on a level playing field.

Why do you support this decision and what impact do you think it can have?

I support this decision because it addresses a complex but necessary issue that’s been avoided for too long. It’s about protecting fairness, ensuring safety, and safeguarding the spaces women have worked incredibly hard to create and sustain in sport. Women’s football has come a long way, but it’s still not being given the full respect, recognition, or resources it deserves. This decision acknowledges that progress and reinforces the importance of continuing to protect and invest in the women’s game.

I think this decision will have a really positive impact, especially for younger girls coming through the system. It gives them clarity, confidence, and reassurance that their pathway in football is being taken seriously. Women were never asked for their consent to compete under these conditions, and in a sport as physical as football, that lack of consultation has real consequences. It’s not just about fairness, it’s about safety, respect, and the right to play in a category that exists specifically to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes. My team all feel the same, it’s a shared view shaped by what we’ve experienced firsthand on the pitch. This kind of policy sends a clear message that those things matter, and that the sport is finally listening to the voices of the women and girls who play it.

This decision helps set a clear standard—one that puts the wellbeing of players first. For so many women and girls, it reinforces that their place in football is valid, respected, and worth protecting. That kind of assurance is essential if we want the women’s game to keep growing stronger and safer for everyone involved.

Are there any personal experiences or incidents that have informed your view?

These physical advantages do not fully reverse with hormone therapy, especially when it comes to explosive power, lung capacity, and overall force production. In a physical, fast-paced sport like football, that matters. It isn’t just a theoretical concern. It’s a real one. These differences can increase the risk of injury for female players and create an uneven playing field. And yet, women were never truly asked. They were never given the choice or the consent to compete under these conditions.

This isn't about excluding anyone from the game. It’s about recognising reality, protecting fairness, and making sure women aren't put at risk in the sport they love. Science isn’t cold or cruel. It’s there to help guide decisions that keep sport safe and respectful for everyone. I completely support everyone’s right to be themselves and to be treated with respect. At the same time, I think it’s important to make sure that the rights of all players are balanced, so everyone can feel safe and compete on a level playing field. It’s about finding that balance where everyone’s wellbeing is considered.

I play in a competitive league, and one of the teams we faced included two transgender women. I’ve seen firsthand how the physical differences played out on the pitch. Our players were battered and bruised, some with legs covered in deep marks. By half-time, several couldn’t continue. One tackle left a player with a dislocated knee, and the match had to be suspended.

This isn’t something we see week in, week out in the women’s game. Football is a contact sport, yes, but what happened that day was beyond the norm. None of us had consented to be part of that kind of match-up, and yet we were put in that position.

What’s worse is that when we try to speak up, we’re told not to. As captain, my coach made it clear that saying anything to the match officials or to the FA—even politely—would likely result in punishment. That fear of retribution silences so many of us. We’re left to deal with the consequences while being told we can't even question them. These experiences underline why it’s vital to have clear, evidence-based policies that prioritise both safety and fairness. This is about protecting the integrity of the game alongside the safety and wellbeing of the women who play it.

What would you say to someone who holds the opposite view and believes that trans women should be included in women’s football?

I understand that this is a deeply personal and emotional issue for many people, and I respect that there are different views. However, when it comes to sport, especially one as physical as football, we must prioritise safety and fairness. The science and facts about physical differences between males and females are clear, and they can’t be ignored. Unfortunately, in situations like this, it’s impossible to make everyone happy. This policy reflects the view of the majority and is aimed at protecting the integrity of women’s football, that we have fought for so long to attain.

At the same time, I hope we can continue to work towards creating spaces within football where transgender women can participate in a way that’s safe, fair, and respected. Football should be inclusive and welcoming for everyone, not just those who fit into a specific category.