Female pool players hire experts to prove transgender players have unfair advantage in landmark legal case

Female pool players have hired experts to prove biological males have an unfair advantage — after a transgender player won four out of five major ladies' titles.

The women are suing pool's governing body for sex discrimination, saying male-born players are dominating their sport and depriving them of opportunities.

Now, they have appointed a biologist and a cue expert to assess the advantages of a male-born physique at a pool table, such as increased strength, narrower hips, lack of breasts and better fast-twitch muscles.

One trans-woman, Harriet Haynes, currently holds the Champion of Champions, World Masters, European Championship and UK National Singles titles in the ladies category.

It's believed transgender players have also scooped almost half the prize money in women's pool competitions over the last year. 

Professional player Lynne Pinches, who forfeited a major final because she was scheduled to play a trans-woman, said: 'Everyone knows they have an advantage, now we just need to prove it in court.

'I got these heartbreaking messages from a young girl of 18 who plays pool and snooker. She said every time she goes against a trans player, she feels like she's lost before the match has even started.

'It's not about the money, it's about the principle. If there's any compensation it will go to charity. We are trying to save this sport for women.'

Ms Pinches said her own experiments have revealed that men can hit a pool ball at up to 26mph, while for women the maximum is 19mph.

She said male-born players can make better shots against the edge of the table because they don't have a woman's curvy hips, generally have better reach due to longer arms and are not encumbered by breasts when leaning over the table.

The women are suing Ultimate Pool Group and the World Eightball Pool Federation on the grounds they have subjected them to direct sex discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sex.

Under the Equality Act, transgender players may be excluded from a ladies' sport if it is 'gender-affected' — meaning that male-born competitors have a natural advantage.

Frankie Rogers, 50, who plays for Suffolk County Pool Association, said: 'Harriet is mopping up, and there are more and more trans-players coming through.

'We're fairly confident we can prove they have an inherent advantage with scientific evidence. They are taking the place of women.

'Harriet Haynes was an average male player who is now excelling as a female and taking the titles, prizes and prestige that goes with it.'

England player Holly Cann, 50, said the 'vast majority' of prizes had been won by trans players.

'We females want a female competition,' she said. 'If there was no difference between the sexes, they wouldn't divide it by sex.

'If a competition is capped at 64 players, we don't want eight of those spots being taken by trans-players, as it means eight women can't take part. Biological females are being pushed out.

'It's not about the money, it's about the loss of a well-established ladies' competition.'

Campaign group Sex Matters is supporting the women's legal fight.

Director of campaigns Fiona McAnena said: 'This case is crucial to protect women’s sport. No one has ever suggested that pool should not have women’s tournaments, or that it is not sex-affected.

'You only have to look at how much easier it is for men to hit the ball hard while maintaining accuracy, so the break is easier and they can pot balls that are hard for women to reach. 

'It makes no sense to have a women’s tournament that lets some male players in. Sport is not organised by identity, it’s about bodies, and keeping male advantage out of the women’s category. 

'If pool can defend its women's events then so can every sex-affected sport – and that is almost all of them.'