ITV sparks trans debate as Olympian Sharron Davies argues 'biology matters!' on Good Morning Britain

However, critics have argued the new union is aiming to exclude trans women at grassroots level.

Explaining the formation of the union, Ms Davies stated: "So sport is obviously done with the body that we have, and there is a very big difference between a male and female performance.

“Now, women get five per cent of the sponsorship dollar in the world of sport. That's all we get.

“So, for every 20 stories that will appear in your newspaper, there's one story for women.

“So we get this tiny, tiny slice of the cake for 51 per cent of the population, and then we were told we weren't even allowed to have fair sport.

“Now, WADA is the World Anti-Doping Agency. The whole reason for WADA is to try to remove any unfair advantage from people in sport.

"So, if you want to have women have an opportunity in sport to compete in any shape or form, it needs to be a level playing field, which means that biology matters, and it matters at every level."

The swimmer argued: "So we can't turn around and say that we're going to protect elite athletes, but we're not going to protect recreational or pathways or juniors.

“What we must do is find ways to include everybody. You know, Tracy and I have loved sport all our life, tried to make people do as much sport as we possibly can.

“I really believe that women and girls should be able to do sport. You know, we used to lose girls from sport at 15, 16 - we're now losing them at 11 in this country, and we have to find better ways to engage them. And at the moment, we're just not doing that."

Presenter Mr Balls asked: "What is the the solution, then? Is it to have a male category, a biological female category, and then a trans category?"

Ms Davies replied: “So, we tried in World Aquatics to do that, and nobody turned up.

“The Trans community didn't turn up. So I think that the sensible answer is really a female protected category and an open, inclusive category, where everyone can be they can identify however they like, wear whatever they like, you know, be respected for how they identify.

“But we have a level playing field. Or there's the option of creating sort of third mixed teams, where people are acknowledging that if they're going to play football, for example, the risk is going to go up to with women getting injured.

Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies and sailing pioneer Tracy Edwards have launched a women’s sports union - specifically targeting sports which they say still fail to ensure fairness and safety for women at all levels. It comes after the Supreme Court ruled in April that the… pic.twitter.com/0g80YPCTM0

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) November 24, 2025

“And we know that's one of the reasons why the FA protected the female candidate, because the risks of, you know, girls were getting hurt, quite seriously hurt, ending careers."

Viewers took to X to share their own thoughts on the debate, with one writing: "About time too! Women’s sports deserve a level playing field, and if they’re not keeping it fair, someone’s got to step in. Let’s see those changes made!"

"Excellent viewing! Two sections a biological female category and an open inclusive category for everyone else," a second shared.

Another agreed: "Sharon and Tracy made Ed look stupid with his whataboutary. Of course men shouldn’t be able to cheat and steal women's prizes."

"Brilliant, well done @sharrond62 @TracyEdwardsMBE Much-needed support for girls’ and women’s sport Thank you," another penned.

Someone else added: "Well done Sharon. Stop pretending to be what you’re not. If you don’t want a trans category find another hobby," while another added: "I'm 110 per cent behind our ladies."

However, others disagreed the new union, with one person writing: "The Supreme Court ruling has nothing to do with sports, it emphasised that trans women's rights were still protected, this is just a bigots charter rooted in hate."

"As ever, these women manage to muddy the whole conversation with their new, offensive terms." (sic)