Restrictions on trans cricket players won’t stop me playing the game I love

Ball in hand at the top of my run-up, I looked to the sidelines to see that I had the nod of approval from my coach, Tom Jones.

I steamed forward into the crease, released the ball from my hand, swung it and clipped the top of the wicket, sending the batter back to the pavilion (meaning I bowled him out, for people unfamiliar with cricket terminology!).

I was elated.

This is the confidence that my coach gives me, but his help extends off-field to me too – with his unwavering support for me as a transgender person.

I started playing cricket at the age of nine. It was a way to entertain myself, keep active, and socialise with friends. Most importantly, it always puts a smile on my face.

For a long time, cricket was something to keep me going. Having training on a Friday night with Tom was perfect because I knew that I had an hour after a hard week of school to blow off all the steam and enjoy a practice session with my friends.

On top of that, Tom asked me to volunteer to help him coach some younger cricketers at one of his summer cricket camps four years ago.

It was very daunting at first, but once I saw a child smiling after giving them advice, I was reminded of myself when I first started playing the game – it felt like I had come full circle. That is all it took for me to keep going with it.

Outside of cricket, growing up was tough because I always felt out of place whenever I was talking or spending time with other boys. The only times I would truly feel comfortable were conversations with girls that did not have anything to do with ‘guy stuff’.

It took me a while to understand why this was the case, until – towards the end of 2021 – I entered college and met a bunch of new people freely expressing who they truly are.

Of course, there were always questions lingering about who I really was from myself, my friends, colleagues, and family. This always played on the back of my mind, everything I did, who I naturally had a good relationship with, and who I was attracted to.

I knew there was something deeper scratching to get out, but couldn’t. Alongside that, I never liked the way I looked because it never felt like me.

This is when it hit me that I was transgender. At first, I was doubting myself by going over everything in my head numerous times: ‘Is this really who you are? Is this who you want to be? Would taking hormone therapy bring you fulfilment?’

But, as is the case with many things in life, once the seed was planted, it was only going to grow and grow until I knew that I was transgender, and it was time to start telling people.

One of the first people I came out to was my cricket coach, Tom. I chose him specifically because he has had a massive influence on my life and he is a trusted adult outside of my family.

It was early April 2022 and I started the conversation by telling him how I felt about what I was going through, but how I was nervous about the impact that transitioning could have on my cricket performance. I also had concerns about perceptions of myself to other club members.

Despite admitting being a complete novice to the process I was about to go through, Tom said: ‘That is amazing to hear you opening up about yourself and I truly accept you for who you are.’

Since then, he has continued to be by my side.

We have had one-to-one sessions every other week to work on my batting skills, but also to talk about my own development in terms of my process in seeking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

One of the most important things for me in my journey – especially from people who knew me before and after coming out – is how they treat me now compared to before. With Tom, he has not changed at all – still being his caring self by putting others’ wellbeing first as a coach.

Having this support since coming out has boosted my confidence massively. Tom has helped me make sure I am safe as a player by being prepared to intervene if someone were to be rude to me because of who I am.

One of my biggest fears was coming out to my whole family and all my friends

He also makes sure I have my own changing room at every home-game and is there whenever I speak to opposition coaches about using a spare changing room on away games.

For me, having my own changing space gives me a huge sense of belonging because it means not having to share with the rest of the team as that makes me feel uncomfortable.

Today – as of six months ago – I’m on HRT, which has made me feel more comfortable in my own skin. It gives me a better understanding of who I truly am, and more fulfilment in myself.

One of my biggest fears was coming out to my whole family and all my friends. The amount of positivity and love I have encountered from everyone has been incredible.

In the future, I wish to carry on playing and coaching cricket as long as I can. I aim to still play for Warrington Cricket Club, even though competition is tough.

I still want to make a name for myself.

Even if cricket were to introduce stricter restrictions on transgender participants, nothing will stop me from loving the game.

Sport should be for everyone – and great coaches are so important to creating amazing and inclusive environments.

Tom Jones is being recognised by the UK Coaching Awards 2023, which you can find out more about on their website here.

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