A transgender pool champion has taken legal action against one of the sport’s governing bodies in what could prove to be a landmark case for British sport.
Harriet Haynes is suing the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) over its decision to ban transgender women from competing in female-only events.
The case, which opened yesterday at Canterbury County Court, centres on whether pool is a “gender-affected activity” where physical attributes give male-born players an advantage.
The rule change in August 2023 altered the EBPF’s eligibility criteria to allow only female-born individuals to play in women’s competitions.
Harriet Haynes has taken legal action against the governing body of pool
Haynes, who first competed in an EBPF event as a woman in 2015, can no longer play for Kent’s ladies’ team.
The 35-year-old claims this amounts to discrimination, causing Haynes a “loss of opportunity” and “injured feelings”.
The core legal argument revolves around the definition of a “gender-affected activity” under the Equality Act 2010.
Haynes’ counsel, Robin White, told the court that sports exist on a sliding scale of gender impact.
“It would be easy to make the case that tennis is gender-affected, given that men are able to serve so much faster than women,” she said.
“On the other end of the spectrum is chess. I’m prepared to accept that pool is close to the boundary.”
The EBPF argues that transgender women have physical advantages that impact the game significantly.
Their barrister, Sarah Crowther KC, stated that male-born players benefit from greater break speed, hand span, stronger fingers and longer limbs.
Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith met in the final of the pool tournamentX
These attributes make certain shots easier to execute for those born male.
“All cue sports have protected women’s categories because the physique of male players means that male players have an advantage over female players,” Ms Crowther told the court.
Haynes told the court: “My success in pool in general is down to my efforts, whether in the women’s section or open section.”
When cross-examined about whether males have an advantage over females, Haynes responded: “I wouldn’t know enough about the subject. I’m not an expert on it.”
Haynes’ court appearance came just after victory in the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2, defeating another transgender player.
The match sparked protests with demonstrators holding signs saying “Save women’s sport” and “He’s a man”.
The EBPF’s position differs from two other pool organisations which initially banned transgender women but later reversed their decisions.
Following the rule change, the EBPF rebranded its Men’s Tour as the Open Tour, which both men and women can enter.
