A Leeds sports club has hit back after it was criticised for accepting transgender skaters.
In an article published by Fair Play For Women, Leeds Roller Derby and other amateur clubs were accused of "making stealth-like moves" that help to "eradicate women only sports" because they welcome all skaters who identify as female or non-binary.
The article also states that roller derby is "no longer an exclusively female sport" and that people who challenge the acceptance of trans athletes in women's sport are "routinely hounded and branded as bigots".
The clubs responded with a joint statement, which reads: "This piece was written by someone not affiliated with roller derby and showed a profound lack of understanding of our sport and the incredible people who participate in this community.
"We are delighted to have been showcased as examples of leagues who explicitly and proudly embrace trans and non binary members and we are even more heartened by the outpouring of support across social media."
It adds: "Trans women are valid. Non binary people are valid. Roller derby is for everyone."
The clubs have taken the same stance as the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which states it is "committed to inclusive and anti-discrimination practices in relation to all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive participants".
The participation of athletes who were born as men in women's sport is a highly controversial subject, particularly in contact sports such as roller derby or rugby.
In 2015, rules set out by the International Olympic Committee said athletes who transition from female to male can compete in a male category "without restriction".
But athletes who transition from male to female must show they've had a testosterone level lower than 10 nanomoles per litre (nmols/L) for 12 months.
The typical testosterone range for men is 7.7 to 29.4nmols/L, while the typical range for women is between 0.06 and 1.68nmols/L.
However, the IOC is planning to introduce stricter rules for transgender athletes before the Tokyo 2020 Games.
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