I’ve spent the day talking with parents and administrators following yesterday’s announcement by Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA), which has introduced a controversial policy requiring students to compete on sports teams aligning with their sex at birth.
The new rule effectively bars transgender female athletes from participating on girls’ teams across Calgary’s high school sports programs. What’s striking about the timing is how it arrives amid similar debates happening across North America, though with a distinctly Calgary context.
“This isn’t about exclusion, it’s about fairness,” explained Robert Mountford, CSHSAA’s athletics director, during our conversation at his office. “We believe all students should have opportunities to participate in sports, but we also need to consider competitive balance.”
The policy states students must compete on teams matching their biological sex as recorded on birth certificates or other legal documents. The association claims the decision followed extensive consultation with member schools, though several teachers I spoke with questioned the depth of that process.
Sarah Chen, a physical education teacher at Western Canada High School, expressed concerns about implementation. “We’re worried about the emotional impact on our transgender students who’ve been competing without issue. This feels like a solution to a problem we weren’t experiencing.”
The Calgary Board of Education hasn’t yet taken an official position, with spokesperson Jessica Reynolds telling me they’re “reviewing the policy to ensure alignment with CBE values of inclusion and fairness.”
For many observers, including local LGBTQ+ advocates, the timing appears connected to similar policies emerging across North America. Montana and Kansas recently enacted legislation restricting transgender athletes’ participation in school sports, reflecting a broader political trend.
“What’s concerning is how these decisions are being made without comprehensive evidence about competitive advantages,” noted Dr. Patricia Whelan, a University of Calgary sports psychology researcher I’ve interviewed previously on youth athletics. “The psychological benefits of inclusion often outweigh theoretical competitive concerns.”
I’ve covered Calgary school sports for nearly eight years, and what makes this situation particularly notable is that CSHSAA officials couldn’t cite specific incidents of competitive imbalance that prompted the policy change.
When pressed about examples of transgender athletes dominating competitions locally, Mountford acknowledged there were “very few cases” but insisted the policy was “proactive rather than reactive.”
Parent reaction appears divided. Outside Ernest Manning High School this morning, I spoke with Catherine Williams, mother of a Grade 11 volleyball player. “I support this policy. My daughter trains hard, and it seems unfair to have her compete against athletes who might have inherent physical advantages.”
Across the parking lot, Mark Stevenson, whose child is in Grade 10, offered a different perspective. “Kids just want to play sports with their friends. This feels like adults projecting their politics onto teenagers.”
The Calgary policy contains no provisions for hormone therapy or transition timeframes, unlike some athletic organizations that allow transgender participation after certain medical treatments.
Local transgender rights advocate Jamie Rodriguez called the policy “devastating” for transgender youth. “These kids already face enormous challenges. Sports provide critical social connection and physical health benefits. Removing access creates another barrier.”
What’s particularly notable about Calgary’s approach is that it emerged locally rather than through provincial mandate. Alberta’s provincial government hasn’t enacted legislation on this issue, unlike several American states.
As someone who’s covered Calgary education for years, I’ve observed how school policies often reflect broader cultural shifts. This particular decision appears caught between evolving understandings of gender identity and traditional views on athletic competition.
The policy takes effect immediately for winter sports, meaning it will impact basketball and other upcoming seasons. Several coaches expressed uncertainty about enforcement mechanisms.
“Are we expected to check birth certificates?” asked William Chen, a basketball coach at Sir Winston Churchill High School. “This puts us in an uncomfortable position with our students.”
For now, the policy stands, though several parents indicated they’re considering formal challenges through human rights complaints. The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, creating potential legal questions about the policy’s implementation.
As this story continues to develop, I’ll be following the impacts on Calgary’s student-athletes and how our community navigates these complex conversations about inclusion, competition, and the evolving understanding of gender in sports.
