Nevada board restricts high school sports to birth certificate sex, reversing 2014 policy – KRNV

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by News 4 & Fox 11 Digital Staff
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The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) Board has voted to implement a new policy that restricts high school sports participation to the sex listed on a student's "unaltered original birth certificate."
This decision, made in a near-unanimous vote Monday, reverses a 2014 policy that allowed transgender students to compete on teams aligning with their gender identity.
Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony praised the NIAA's decision, stating, "I commend the NIAA for taking this important and courageous step. Today’s vote sends a clear message: Nevada values and protects opportunities for female athletes. Girls deserve a level playing field, and this action helps ensure they can compete, grow, and succeed without having to compromise safety or fairness."
Anthony emphasized the broader impact of girls' sports, noting, "They are a powerful source of confidence, leadership, and lifelong opportunity." He added that participation in athletics equips young women with essential tools for success both on and off the field.
The Task Force to Protect Women’s Sports, established in 2024 by Anthony, focuses on policies affecting female athletes. Marshi Smith, the Task Force Chair, expressed her support for the NIAA's decision. "I applaud the NIAA for aligning high school sports policy with federal law to ensure fair competition for Nevada’s girls," she said. "The Lieutenant Governor’s Task Force is making a powerful impact, and as a mother and former athlete, I know firsthand how meaningful competition empowers female athletes to succeed in sports and beyond."
Anthony concluded, "Let me be clear, there is a place for everyone in sports. But no one is entitled to a position that takes an opportunity away from someone else. Today’s vote is a win for girls across Nevada."
The Task Force includes notable members such as Marshi Smith, an NCAA champion swimmer; Sia Liilii, a University of Nevada, Reno volleyball player; and several state and local officials committed to advocating for fairness in sports.
The NIAA and its member school districts do not collect data on how many transgender student athletes are participating in its sanctioned sports. In December, NCAA President Charlie Baker said he was aware of 10 transgender athletes competing in college sports nationwide.

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