Who is Danielle McGahey? First transgender set to play international cricket for Canada

Danielle McGahey is poised to make history as the first transgender cricketer to compete in an official international match. McGahey has been selected to represent Canada in the qualifying tournament held in Los Angeles, which serves as a pathway to the Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2024. The 29-year-old has met all the eligibility criteria established by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for male-to-female transgender players.

For those unfamiliar with her background, McGahey, originally from Australia, relocated to Canada in February 2020. She underwent a social transition from man to woman in November 2020 and began her medical transition in May 2021. It is noteworthy that despite sports such as athletics, cycling, swimming, and both codes of rugby prohibiting transgender women from participating in major competitions, McGahey has been deemed eligible to play cricket.

According to the ICC's regulations, a transgender woman seeking to compete in women's international cricket must demonstrate that her serum testosterone concentration remains below 5 nmol/L1 for a minimum of 12 months. Furthermore, the individual must commit to maintaining this level throughout her participation. The ICC also requires male-to-female transgender players to provide a written and signed declaration, satisfying the designated medical officer that their gender identity is female.

When discussing the same topic, Danielle McGahey revealed that she has been conducting tests on a monthly basis for nearly two years. She diligently sends all the necessary information to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has assigned a dedicated medical officer to investigate this matter.

"I am absolutely honoured. To be able to represent my community is something I never dreamed I would be able to do. In order to determine [my testosterone levels], I've been doing blood tests every month now for over two years. I also have to put in my player profile who I have played against and how many runs I've scored.

"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. 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," McGahey told BBC Sport.

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