Latest news with #UltimatePoolGroup
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.
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."
Fox News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
UK pool organization scraps trans-athlete policy following court decision, championship controversy
Earlier this month, a women's pool tournament championship in the United Kingdom featured two transgender athletes who defeated their female competition. Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith went toe-to-toe in the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan. Both competitors defeated four female opponents each to get to the championship bout. But weeks after the event, the organization has barred biological males from competing against women. Ultimate Pool's policies now state, "With effect from 23rd 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." The organization said that it commissioned an "experts report" to determine if pool is a "gender affected sport" in which biological males could have competitive advantages. "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," Ultimate Pool said. According to Ultimate Pool Group, Smith won 85 of 113 matches and 62% of 848 frames dating back to 2021 before entering the final. Haynes owned a .750 winning percentage in 241 lifetime matches and won 61% of the frames before taking on Smith. The two players wound up facing each other in the semifinals of the U.K. Mini Series pool championships in October. Haynes won that matchup but lost the championship to a biological woman. In August 2023, the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) announced it was updating its guidelines to only allow those who were "born female" to play the sport. "We understand that this decision may prompt questions and discussions within our sport. We want to emphasize that our commitment to upholding the values of sportsmanship, inclusivity, and adherence to regulatory standards remains unwavering," the WEPF said at the time. "Our ultimate goal is to ensure the continued growth and development of the sport we all love, while maintaining a harmonious balance between inclusivity and the integrity of competition. We recognize the importance of fostering an environment where everyone can participate and thrive, and we remain dedicated to upholding these principles to the best of our ability." But in October that year, the WEPF reversed that protection. It allowed transgender competitors under the condition that they identified as female for a minimum of four years and submitted proof of lowered testosterone levels. However, Ultimate Pool also said that their decision came as the U.K. Supreme Court defined the word "woman" under its biological meaning, rather than gender ideology. "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 new Ultimate Pool guidelines say. "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." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Transgender women now banned from pool's female category
Transgender women have been banned from the Ultimate Pool Group's female category following the Supreme Court's ruling on single-sex spaces. The move comes a week after the UK's highest court determined that sex was binary and just over a fortnight after the final of the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan was contested by two biological males. That match between Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith witnessed furious protests amid what had also been legal proceedings brought by female-born players over UPG's transgender policy. The latter prompted UPG to commission a report into whether eight-ball pool was a gender-affected sport as defined by the Equality Act, the outcome of which has also played a part in it becoming the second professional UK pool organisation to ban trans women from its female category. The English Blackball Pool Federation became the first in 2023, only for Haynes to take it to court earlier this month. A judgment on Haynes's lawsuit is pending but is also expected to be affected by the Supreme Court ruling. 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.' Is eight-ball pool a gender-affected sport? The rationale behind the change was explained in an update to its terms and conditions on its website. It read: '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. '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.' 'Brave few stood up to protect women in sport' The World Eightball Pool Federation has also been facing legal proceedings over its refusal to ban trans women from female competitions. Fiona McAnena, director of advocacy at Sex Matters, said: 'Yet again it was a few brave women who were forced to step up and take legal action to protect the female category for all women in sport. This should never have had to happen. 'So many governing bodies have acted inexcusably, failing to provide sport that is truly inclusive of women and girls. The only way to give women the same fair competition as men get is to exclude all males from women's competitions, however those men identify. 'This is a tipping point. If cue sports like pool must exclude everyone male from women's tournaments – and legally that is what they have to do – then every other sport that has a female category must do this too. Football, cricket, lacrosse and all the other holdouts must now take action. Sportswomen have been shamefully cheated for too long.'
