A transgender pool player banned from competing by the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) is taking legal action against the sports governing body, telling a court her abilities are down to practice and not biology.
Back in August 2023, the EBPF – which organises county-level competitions in England – announced only people assigned female at birth would be able to compete in the female category from December of that year, with an open category created for men and trans women. The move was to ensure “equality and fairness for all”, the EBPF said at the time.
Professional player Harriet Haynes – who won the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2 in Wigan on Sunday (6 April) – has brought legal action against the EBPF over the ban.
Haynes, 34, is still able to play in some tournaments in the UK as well as playing internationally but is unable to compete in specifically matches and competitions run by the EBPF.
On Monday (7 April), Haynes told Canterbury County Court that pool is not a gender-affected sport, saying “my success in pool in general is down to my efforts, whether in the women’s section or open section”.
As quoted by The Independent from court, Haynes said “coaching helped me progress” and “a big part of my life was playing county ladies’ blackball pool”, which she is now unable to take part in.
Her barrister Robin White said some sports are gender-affected whilst others are not.
“Somewhere in between there must be sports that are closer to the boundary or at either side of the boundary. In cue sports, pool is close to the boundary,” she said.
However Sarah Crowther KC, for the EBPF, said the sport was gender-affected and male players have an advantage over female ones.
“The reality is that all sports are predominately male sports and there are very few where it can be said there is no sex-based advantage. Women have to fight to seek inclusion,” Crowther said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“If girls and women do not have their own teams, they will lack the development pathway into sports and will give up.
“All cue sports have protected women’s categories because the physique of male players means that male players have an advantage over female players.”
Cross examining, Crowther asked Haynes: “You point to various features of your game that you say are your strengths, you say it’s down to practice and technique”.
“I would say practice definitely, yes,” Haynes replied.
Crowther then asked if she would accept pool is gender-affected. Haynes said she “wouldn’t know enough about the subject”.
“I’m not an expert on it,” she added.
The case continues.
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