Latest news with #UPG
The Independent
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Transgender women banned from female pool category after Supreme Court ruling
Transgender women have been banned from the female category of certain pool events following last week's UK Supreme Court ruling. The sport in this country has been mired in controversy over its transgender inclusion policies. Trans woman Harriet Haynes is suing the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) after it changed its rules to ban trans women from its female category, while a group of female players had challenged the Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) and World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) rules which allowed trans women to compete. The UPG has now changed course however, and becomes the first sports body to update its policies since the Supreme Court declared last week that the words "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 referred to a biological woman and biological sex. The UPG also said the change in policy was prompted by receipt of a report which confirmed pool was a gender-affected sport under the Equality Act, which therefore permits the lawful exclusion of athletes based on sex. "Since its inception UPG has been caught in a vacuum of uncertainty surrounding the issue of eligibility to participate in its women's series," the announcement from UPG read. "The clear conclusion of the biological and cue sports expert who jointly authored the report was that eightball pool was a gender-affected sport and that in cue sports female players have unique disadvantages compared to male players and that transgender women retain male advantages. "The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner has confirmed that the ruling has brought clarity and that trans women cannot take part in women's sport and that the EHRC would pursue organisations which do not update their policies. "UPG welcomes the clarity which this judgment brings." UPG confirmed the open category remained "open to all regardless of sex", and said the rule changes had been endorsed by the international eightball federation. Haynes and another trans woman, Lucy Smith, contested the final of a UPG event earlier this month. London Marathon organisers said on Wednesday they would wait to receive updated information from the EHRC and Sport England before considering whether to update eligibility policies for its mass participation race. Currently transgender athletes can self-select their gender on the ballot for the mass race, but the elite, championship and 'good for age' female race categories are only open to biological women.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Pool bans transgender women from female category after UK Supreme Court ruling
The ongoing debate about transgender women in sport has moved into pool - with competitors now banned in the female category. Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), the professional body for eight-ball pool, have enforced the law change after two transgender women contested the final of the Women's Pro Series Event earlier this month. The encounter by Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith sparked furious protests amid what had also seen legal proceedings brought by female-born players over UPG's transgender policy. Haynes defeated Smith 8-6 in the final of the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan, but that will now no longer happen in future. In cohesion with a Supreme Court judgment's recent ruling, UPG had been undertaking their own review into whether biological males had a natural advantage over females in the sport as defined by the Equality Act. Their findings found that to be true and have therefore banned trans athletes from competing in female categories. Haynes beat Lucy Smith - another trans athlete - but that won't happen any more due to rule changes enforced by Ultimate Pool Group banning non-biological females from competing UPG said in a statement: 'UPG today have amended our eligibility rules for the Women's Series (and all women's competitions held under UPG). With effect from 23rd April 2025, entry and participation in Ultimate Pool women's events are open only to biologically born women. 'We respect that some people within the pool community may find the changes challenging. As an organisation, we are committed to being empathetic to all members of our community and we expect all members of our community to reflect this.' UPG explained further with a change to its terms and conditions on its website that they had been 'caught in a vacuum of uncertainty surrounding the issue of eligibility to participate in its women's series' before receiving clarity about the situation. 'Since its inception UPG has been caught in a vacuum of uncertainty surrounding the issue of eligibility to participate in its women's series. Two recent developments have now made the position clear,' their updated terms read. 'UPG obtained an expert's report upon the question: 'Was eight-ball pool a gender-affected sport as defined by the Equality Act 2010?' 'Crucially this report was commissioned to reach a conclusion not only on the question of whether there were biological differences between women born as women and transgender women recognised as women by way of a Gender Recognition Certificate, but also whether any biological differences meant that transgender women had an advantage in the specific sport of eight-ball pool. 'The clear conclusion of the biological and cue-sports expert who jointly authored the report was that eight-ball pool was a gender-affected sport and that in cue sports female players have unique disadvantages compared to male players and that transgender women retain male advantages. 'Separately, the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers was handed down on 16 April 2025. In this judgment the Supreme Court ruled that a Gender Recognition Certificate does not change a person's legal sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. 'The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner has confirmed that the ruling has brought clarity and that trans women cannot take part in women's sport and that the EHRC would pursue organisations which do not update their policies. UPG welcomes the clarity which this judgment brings.' The change should see an end to female-born players' previous furore - which has also seen Piers Morgan and Sharron Davies wade in to support their annoyance. In November 2023, Haynes was handed a walkover victory in the Women's Champion of Champions final in Prestatyn after opponent Lynne Pinches refused to play, citing fairness concerns. Pinches later told TalkTV: 'Whenever you play a transgender player, even if you win, it doesn't make any difference because in your heart, you know it's unfair. 'This is a category advantage, being biologically male and playing against females, gives you a clear category advantage. 'Every time I play a transgender player, I think about it before, during and after the match, about how unfair it is and how this is a level I can't reach. 'I watch some of the shots they play, and I think females don't play these shots down the rails like this and they don't clear up like this. They have a longer reach, a lot of them are taller than us. 'Women have been silenced because of fear of being transphobic, that is why people don't speak out about this subject. It's not a gender issue, this is a fairness issue.' The incident at Prestatyn, which saw Pinches forfeit the match after the opening lag shot, drew international headlines and provoked fierce debate. Haynes later revealed she was inundated with abuse online, describing it as a 'cess-pool of awfulness' and saying: 'It was unreal… horrific. A lot of vile abuse.' Haynes, who transitioned over a decade ago, has repeatedly defended her right to compete in the women's category. 'Trans women are not a threat to pool,' she told the BBC. 'We're not coming over in droves… there's nothing to fear.' Governing bodies had struggled to settle on a consistent policy. In August 2023, the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and Ultimate Pool Group issued a statement saying 'only naturally born women would be eligible' to compete in the women's series, but that ruling was later reversed. The WEPF later clarified: 'Providing regulatory conditions are met… transgender and non-binary players will be able to participate in the women's series.' That U-turn disappointed players like Pinches, but Haynes defended the change, insisting she would step away from women's pool if there was clear evidence of an unfair advantage: 'If the rules were changing and there was categoric evidence that I had a massive advantage over someone else, I would stop. But there isn't.'
Irish Examiner
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Transgender women banned from female pool events following Supreme Court ruling
Transgender women have been banned from the female category of Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) events following last week's UK Supreme Court ruling. The sport has been mired in controversy over its transgender inclusion policies. Trans woman Harriet Haynes is suing the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) after it changed its rules to ban trans women from its female category, while a group of female players had challenged the UPG and World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) rules which allowed trans women to compete. The UPG has now changed course however, and becomes the first sports body to update its policies since the Supreme Court declared last week that the words "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 referred to a biological woman and biological sex. The UPG also said the change in policy was prompted by receipt of a report which confirmed pool was a gender-affected sport under the Equality Act, which therefore permits the lawful exclusion of athletes based on sex. "Since its inception UPG has been caught in a vacuum of uncertainty surrounding the issue of eligibility to participate in its women's series," the announcement from UPG read. "The clear conclusion of the biological and cue sports expert who jointly authored the report was that eightball pool was a gender-affected sport and that in cue sports female players have unique disadvantages compared to male players and that transgender women retain male advantages. "The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner has confirmed that the ruling has brought clarity and that trans women cannot take part in women's sport and that the EHRC would pursue organisations which do not update their policies. "UPG welcomes the clarity which this judgment brings." UPG confirmed the open category remained "open to all regardless of sex", and said the rule changes had been endorsed by the international eightball federation. Haynes and another trans woman, Lucy Smith, contested the final of a UPG event earlier this month. London Marathon organisers said on Wednesday they would wait to receive updated information from the EHRC and Sport England before considering whether to update eligibility policies for its mass participation race. Currently transgender athletes can self-select their gender on the ballot for the mass race, but the elite, championship and 'good for age' female race categories are only open to biological women.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Transgender women banned from female pool category
Transgender women have been banned from the female category of Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) after last week's landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. The professional body for 8-ball pool said it has amended its eligibility rules so that participation in its women's events "are open only to biologically born women". The decision comes after protests were held at the final of the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event earlier this month, which was competed between Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith - two transgender women. UPG said "recent developments have now made the position clear", and that it "welcomes the clarity" brought by the Supreme Court judgment. It also said that a report it commissioned had concluded that 8-ball pool "was a gender affected sport and that in cue sports female players have unique disadvantages compared to male players and that transgender women retain male advantages". The body said that an open category "will continue to be open to all regardless of sex". "We respect that some people within the pool community may find the changes challenging" it added. "As an organisation, we are committed to being empathetic to all members of our community and we expect all members of our community to reflect this." Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan was contested by two biological males. That match between Haynes and Smith witnessed furious protests amid what had also been legal proceedings brought by female-born players over UPG's transgender policy. In an update to its terms and conditions, UPD said that it "has been caught in a vacuum of uncertainty surrounding the issue of eligibility to participate in its women's series". Last year, one of Britain's top female pool players said she turned down a first ever professional contract because she believes transgender women have an unfair competitive advantage. In August 2023, governing body the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and its promoters UPG, said transgender players would not be able to play against "naturally-born women" but that decision was then reversed. Pinches then staged a protest by conceding the Women's Champion of Champions tournament to transgender opponent Haynes in Prestatyn. Haynes argued transgender players have competed in female categories for 20 years, and that there was no categoric evidence they have an advantage in cue sports. She has taken legal action against the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF), which has also banned transgender women competing in female categories. Pinches said she was part of a group of players launching their own legal action against the WEPF and UPG over rules forcing them to play transgender women. UPG has now become the first sports body to amend its rules in the wake of last week's judgment by the Supreme Court. "The Equality and Human Rights Commission chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner has confirmed that the ruling has brought clarity and that trans women cannot take part in women's sport and that the EHRC would pursue organisations which do not update their policies" it said. "UPG welcomes the clarity which this judgment brings." It said the ruling - along with the findings of the "detailed and comprehensive experts report" it commissioned - meant "it is necessary for UPG to amend its eligibility policy for participation in the women's series and international events". It added: "With effect from 23 April 2025 trans women will not be eligible to participate in the women's series nor will trans women be eligible to be selected for international events in the female category." London Marathon waits on report before transgender decision What does the 'definition of a woman' ruling mean for sport?
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Transgender women banned from female pool category
Transgender women have been banned from the female category of Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) after last week's landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological professional body for 8-ball pool said it has amended its eligibility rules so that participation in its women's events "are open only to biologically born women".The decision comes after protests were held at the final of the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event earlier this month, which was competed between Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith - two transgender women. UPG said "recent developments have now made the position clear", and that it "welcomes the clarity" brought by the Supreme Court also said that a report it commissioned had concluded that 8-ball pool "was a gender affected sport and that in cue sports female players have unique disadvantages compared to male players and that transgender women retain male advantages".The body said that an open category "will continue to be open to all regardless of sex"."We respect that some people within the pool community may find the changes challenging" it added."As an organisation, we are committed to being empathetic to all members of our community and we expect all members of our community to reflect this."Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan was contested by two biological match between Haynes and Smith witnessed furious protests amid what had also been legal proceedings brought by female-born players over UPG's transgender policy. 'Ruling brings clarity' In an update to its terms and conditions, UPD said that it "has been caught in a vacuum of uncertainty surrounding the issue of eligibility to participate in its women's series".Last year, one of Britain's top female pool players said she turned down a first ever professional contract because she believes transgender women have an unfair competitive August 2023, governing body the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and its promoters UPG, said transgender players would not be able to play against "naturally-born women" but that decision was then then staged a protest by conceding the Women's Champion of Champions tournament to transgender opponent Haynes in argued transgender players have competed in female categories for 20 years, and that there was no categoric evidence they have an advantage in cue has taken legal action against the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF), which has also banned transgender women competing in female said she was part of a group of players launching their own legal action against the WEPF and UPG over rules forcing them to play transgender has now become the first sports body to amend its rules in the wake of last week's judgment by the Supreme Court."The Equality and Human Rights Commission chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner has confirmed that the ruling has brought clarity and that trans women cannot take part in women's sport and that the EHRC would pursue organisations which do not update their policies" it said."UPG welcomes the clarity which this judgment brings."It said the ruling - along with the findings of the "detailed and comprehensive experts report" it commissioned - meant "it is necessary for UPG to amend its eligibility policy for participation in the women's series and international events".It added: "With effect from 23 April 2025 trans women will not be eligible to participate in the women's series nor will trans women be eligible to be selected for international events in the female category."
