Latest news with #WEPF
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."
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.
