Transgender women have been barred from competing in the female category of the Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), following a landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court last week affirming that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
The governing body for professional 8-ball pool announced a revision of its eligibility rules, stating that its women’s events are now “open only to biologically born women.”
This decision follows protests at the recent final of the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event, where Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith—both transgender women—competed.
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 s£x”.
“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.”
