Latest news with #Women'sChampionofChampions
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."
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two transgender athletes compete in women's pool final
Harriet Haynes (pictured) won the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series event in Wigan - ReduxxMag A women's pool championship has been labelled as 'preposterous' after the final was contested by two transgender athletes. Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith faced off in the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan after they had defeated four female opponents each to get to the final. Advertisement The competition has come under heavy scrutiny with broadcaster Piers Morgan labelling the event as ''preposterous' before accusing the sport of 'cheating bulls---' on social media. Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies went on to call it 'bloody ridiculous and grossly wrong in every way.' Lucy Smith defeated four female opponents to reach the final - ReduxxMag Haynes was leading 6-3 and despite cutting her lead to just one, Haynes held on to win the Championship. Haynes' path to the title included victories over Megan Proctor and Mary Talbot, while Smith reached the final by knocking out Kirsty-Lee Davies and Danielle Randle. In the 2023 Women's Champion of Champions final held in Prestatyn, Haynes was awarded the victory after her opponent, Lynne Pinches, refused to play after raising concerns over the fairness of the match. Advertisement 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, and a lot of them are taller than us. Advertisement '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.' Haynes however has previously defended her right to compete in the female category after telling the BBC: 'Transwomen are not a threat to pool,' she told the BBC. 'We're not coming over in droves… there's nothing to fear.' The English Pool Association and World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) currently permit transgender athletes to compete without restriction, as stated on the EPA website. However, the EPA's bylaws regarding transgender athletes have been under review since December 2023. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Women's pool final played by two transgender athletes
A women's pool championship has been labelled as 'preposterous' after the final was contested by two transgender athletes. Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith faced off in the Ultimate Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan after they had defeated four female opponents each to get to the final. The competition has come under heavy scrutiny with broadcaster Piers Morgan labelling the event as ''preposterous' before accusing the sport of 'cheating bulls---' on social media. Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies went on to call it 'bloody ridiculous and grossly wrong in every way.' Haynes was leading 6-3 and despite cutting her lead to just one, Haynes held on to win the Championship. Haynes' path to the title included victories over Megan Proctor and Mary Talbot, while Smith reached the final by knocking out Kirsty-Lee Davies and Danielle Randle. In the 2023 Women's Champion of Champions final held in Prestatyn, Haynes was awarded the victory after her opponent, Lynne Pinches, refused to play after raising concerns over the fairness of the match. 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, and 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.' Haynes however has previously defended her right to compete in the female category after telling the BBC: 'Transwomen are not a threat to pool,' she told the BBC. 'We're not coming over in droves… there's nothing to fear.' The English Pool Association and World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) currently permit transgender athletes to compete without restriction, as stated on the EPA website. However, the EPA's bylaws regarding transgender athletes have been under review since December 2023.
