In explicitly stating that sex or gender expression is not a criteria by which players will be judged, the UK's NIHL has gone far beyond the inclusivity of every other hockey league in the world, and sent a true "you can play" message that is arguably revolutionary in hockey.
This is not a statement that will surprise anyone involved with the game - but hockey is not the most inclusive sport in the world.
Like many sports, the traditional hockey culture is one of macho masculinity - one whose problems have been put under the spotlight more and more as awareness of them has risen in recent years.