Trans pool star to challenge competition ban in court

A transgender pool champion is taking legal action against one of the sport's governing bodies in England after she was banned from playing in women's tournaments.

- HOLLY BANCROFT & JAMES GARRETT

Harriet Haynes, who is among the world’s top 10 best players in the women’s competition, was left stunned by the surprise decision of the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) to restrict their ladies’ events to people who were born female in August last year, which disqualified her from competing in eightball games.

Speaking to The Independent, Ms Haynes opened up about her battle to see the inclusion of trans women in the federation’s ladies’ competitions, saying: “All I’ve ever wanted is to be able to play like any other woman.“

The EBPF organises county competitions around the country, which are broken up into categories for women and men, as well as for various age groups. In August 2023, the body announced that ladies’ events would only be open to people who were born female, in a move they said was intended to make sure that the game was played with “equality and fairness for all”.

Ms Haynes criticised the Federation’s actions, telling The

Independent: “I was at the EBPF tournament the day before the ban was announced. Absolutely nothing was mentioned.”

The EBPF’s position differs from two other pool organisations, the Ultimate Pool Group – which organises tournaments for eightball pool professional players – and the World Eightball Pool Federation, which oversees international tournaments.

These groups also tried to ban trans women from playing in ladies’ competitions, making their announcements before the EBPF. However, both reversed their decisions some weeks later – announcing that they would be following guidance from the International Olympic Committee.