Trans Women Out of Female Pool Competitions in UK

 

Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), the professional body behind competitive 8-ball pool events, has officially updated its women’s category rules, now allowing only "biologically born women" to compete. This decision follows last week’s high-profile UK Supreme Court ruling which stated that, in legal terms, the definition of a "woman" can be based solely on biological s£x.

The change wasn’t exactly chalked up without drama. Earlier this month, the Women's Pro Series Event stirred public debate when the final saw two transgender women Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith facing off. The match triggered protests and intensified conversations around fairness, inclusion, and the future of women’s sports.

In a statement, UPG said that “recent developments have now made the position clear” and that the organization “welcomes the clarity” brought by the legal ruling. They added that a commissioned report found that 8-ball pool, while seemingly low-contact, is still a “gender-affected sport” meaning female players may face performance-related disadvantages compared to male players.

However, the organization emphasized that its “open category” will remain inclusive and available to all competitors, regardless of gender or s£x.

Acknowledging the emotional weight of the decision, UPG stated: “We respect that some people within the pool community may find the changes challenging. As an organisation, we are committed to being empathetic to all members of our community.”

As cue sports grapple with the evolving dialogue around gender, fairness, and inclusion, this move could mark a precedent for similar decisions across other non-contact sports.