Danielle McGahey set to become first-ever transgender international cricketer

The Australian cricketer Danielle McGahey recently made history as she became the first transgender woman to represent the community on an international level by participating in a Women’s T20I match for Canada. Recently, Danielle McGahey was named to the Canadian women’s cricket team squad for the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup 2024 which will be held in Bangladesh. 

Danielle McGahey migrated from Australia to Canada in 2020 and got her gender changed to a woman, which enabled her to be eligible to participate in international cricket. While feeling honoured, she also talked about the biggest challenge that she might face in the upcoming months of international cricket, which is presenting her blood test and appearing for medical tests every month. 

Danielle McGahey on following blood test protocols 

“I am absolutely honoured. To be able to represent my community is something I never dreamed I would be able to do. A lot of work with my doctor sending my medical information through to the ICC… they have a dedicated medical officer who looks over all of the information provided, and determines whether or not I have provided enough for an expert panel to make a decision,” said Danielle McGahey. 

“The need to do blood tests every month is probably the biggest challenge because when you are playing cricket you are travelling a lot. It’s very personal in terms of the information you are giving over – all your medical information, history of puberty, any surgeries. There’s a lot in it. But the protocols are there and it has been used as intended,” added Danielle McGahey. 

The cricket governing body issued certain eligibility regulations for transgender women to play cricket on an international level and in cricket leagues. According to the regulations, transgender players are expected to give monthly blood tests for the determination of medical history, particularly testosterone levels. 

“A trans woman wishing to play women’s international cricket must demonstrate the concentration of testosterone in her serum to be less than 5 nmol/L1 continuously for a period of at least 12 months, and that she is ready, willing and able to continue to keep it below that level for so long as she continues to compete’. Provide a written and signed declaration, in a form satisfactory to the designated medical officer, that her gender identity is female,” said the cricket governing body’s regulations.