Female pool players threaten to sue after transgender U-turn

Pool’s governing bodies are facing a potential sex-discrimination lawsuit brought by women players devastated at the lack of restrictions on transgender competitors.

Lynne Pinches, who recently forfeited the final of a national title as she was scheduled to play a transgender woman, is among 30 players raising funds for their case.

The group, now represented by Doyle Clayton solicitors, were dismayed last month by a redrafting of restrictions. Players claim they had received assurances that transgender women or non-binary players would be stopped from competing against females. However, the World Eightball Pool Federation and Ultimate Pool Group instead stated last month in new guidance that “transgender and non-binary players will be able to participate in the women’s series”.

Announcing their intention to launch a legal challenge, the players said in a statement: “Brave women are walking away from women’s pool matches, even tournament finals, because they are not fair. Players who are born male are being allowed to win trophies and prize money in women’s competitions, because those male players self-identify as women. Now a group of female players are taking the organisers to court for sex discrimination.”

‘Upper body strength is a major factor’

Earlier this month, Pinches was cheered by spectators as she packed up her cue and refused to play as the final of the Ladies Champions of Champions got under way. Her opponent, Harriet Haynes, later picked up the trophy by default.

“Pool is a gender-affected game,” the group of women players said. “The initial break, which depends on upper body strength, is a major factor in determining the outcome of a match; a powerful break makes it much easier to pot balls and clear the table. Hand size and strength to make a ‘bridge’ that supports the cue; that matters in every shot. Height and reach at the table helps too. There are social factors too since pool halls and pub snooker tables continue to be male-dominated. Ask any female players of any cue sport – snooker, pool, billiards – and they’ll tell you what it’s like. That is why women need their own events.”

Within hours of its launch, an appeal for funds had raised more than £5,000. The group believe they need £30,000 to launch an Equality Act challenge against pool’s governing bodies.

“Permitting born males in women’s competitions requires women to compete against men,” the players add. “The inherent advantages that all males have because of their sex causes clear disadvantage to women who compete against them, because the advantages of male sex limit women’s ability to qualify and succeed in those competitions. The admission of male-born competitors into women’s sport is therefore discriminatory to women on the grounds of their sex...The law recognises this: the Equality Act 2010 specifically permits sport to be segregated on the basis of sex, regardless of gender reassignment, and provides that it is not unlawfully discriminatory to do so.”

‘We don’t want to be forced to play male-born players’

Pinches had previously told Telegraph Sport she has turned down an invitation to turn full-time professional amid her despair at a “U-turn” in international rules. She says support for the players since has been “absolutely amazing”.

“In the first instance, we will write to the organising bodies of pool and ask them to reinstate the policy they introduced in August 2023, but withdrew in October, of removing born males from women-only competition,” Pinches and the other players say.

“If that is unsuccessful, then we will litigate, on the basis of sex discrimination, to generate a judgment that it is unlawful to permit born males into women’s sport.”

Other players bringing action include Frankie Rogers, who told the Mail on Sunday: “Bringing this case is the only option we have. We don’t want to be forced to play male-born players who have clear advantages.”

World No 5 Alexandra Cunha is also among top women players refusing to play against transgender opponents.

‘Verification of sex should not be expected’

Authorities declined to comment when approached by Telegraph Sport. English Pool Association guidance states “any transgender person (male or female) is permitted to participate fully, i.e. train, play in informal matches or play in pool competitions, in their affirmed gender”. The rules add: “Verification of their sex should be no more than is expected of any other player.”

The updated World Eightball Pool Federation and Ultimate Pool Group says: “Providing regulatory conditions are met.... transgender and non-binary players will be able to participate in the women’s series across World Eightball Pool Federation and Ultimate Pool Group events.”

Sharron Davies, the Olympian swimmer and campaigner for women’s sport, previously said pool was another example of a sport failing to put safety and fairness first.

Athletics, cycling and swimming have all changed their transgender policies in the past 12 months, while both codes of rugby have also moved to protect sport for biologically-born women.