You’ve seen the headlines, or maybe you saw that one clip on social media that wouldn’t go away. A pool table, two focused players, and an atmosphere so thick with tension you could cut it with a cue tip. It wasn't just another tournament. When Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith stepped up to the table at the Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan back in April 2025, they weren't just playing for a trophy. They were walking straight into the center of a cultural hurricane.
Honestly, it's one of those moments that changed the sport forever.
The Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series final wasn't just a game. It was the first time in the history of the circuit that two transgender women faced off for a major female title. Haynes, who has been a dominant force in the game for years, ended up taking the win with an 8-6 scoreline. But the score is almost the least interesting part of the story. Outside the venue, protesters were holding signs. Inside, the air was heavy. The "fairness in sport" debate had officially arrived at the pool hall, and it wasn't leaving anytime soon.
The Match That Broke the Internet
Let's be real for a second. Pool isn't usually the sport that sparks international outrage. It’s usually quiet, methodical, and tucked away in community centers or dimly lit halls. But when Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith both beat four female-born players each to reach that final, the world took notice.
People like Piers Morgan and former Olympian Sharron Davies didn't hold back. They called the situation "preposterous" and "grossly wrong." The argument? That biological males—regardless of how they identify—retain physical advantages like height, reach, and upper body strength that simply aren't fair in a female category.
It’s a messy topic.
On one side, you have players like Lynne Pinches. She’s a veteran in the game who actually forfeited a final against Haynes in 2023. She basically said she’s done playing on an uneven field. Pinches argues that the "clear category advantage" is impossible to ignore. She’s seen the shots Haynes can make—the power, the reach across the table—and she says women simply don't play like that.
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On the other side, Harriet Haynes has been very vocal. She told the BBC that trans women aren't a threat and that they aren't "coming over in droves." To her, it’s about the right to compete in the category that matches her legal identity. She’s a professional. She’s skilled. And she feels that being excluded is nothing short of discrimination.
The Legal Tug-of-War
This isn't just a "he-said, she-said" over a game of pool. It’s a full-blown legal battle involving the biggest governing bodies in the sport.
- The World Eightball Pool Federation (WEBF) and Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) have been stuck in the middle.
- In August 2023, they actually tried to change the rules to say women’s events were for those "female at birth."
- Harriet Haynes didn't take that sitting down. She threatened legal action.
- By October 2023, the organizations blinked. They reversed the policy and went back to allowing self-identification.
But then the flip side happened. A group of nearly 30 female players, led by Pinches, launched their own lawsuit. They argue that allowing male-born players into the women’s category is sex discrimination against women. It’s a massive legal knot.
You’ve got expert witnesses on both sides. In one corner, you have people like Dr. Blair Hamilton, a trans-identifying academic who argues for inclusion. In the other, you have experts like "Dr. Dave" Alciatore, a pool physics authority who believes the physical advantages of being born male—even in a precision sport—are real and measurable.
Why Pool Is Different (Or Is It?)
You might think, Wait, it's just pool. How much does being tall or strong really matter?
That’s actually the heart of the debate between Haynes and her critics. In swimming or track, the advantage is obvious. In pool, it’s subtle. Critics argue that a longer reach allows a player to avoid using a bridge (the "rest"), which is notoriously harder to control. Then there’s the "break"—the most explosive shot in the game. If you have more explosive power in your shoulders and arms, your break is naturally more effective.
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Haynes has a trophy cabinet that would make anyone jealous. We’re talking:
- World Ladies Masters Champion (2023, 2024)
- European Ladies Champion (2024)
- IPA World Champion (2022)
She’s good. Really good. But is she good because of her talent, or because of her biology? Or is it a mix of both? That’s the question that has split the community in half.
What’s Actually Changing on the Ground?
Right now, the sport is a patchwork of rules. Some federations, like the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF), have stood their ground. They’ve stuck to a "biological female only" policy for their women’s tour. They’ve basically said, "Look, we believe male puberty gives a competitive advantage, so we’re keeping the categories separate."
This means Harriet Haynes can play in some tournaments but is barred from others. It’s a confusing, stressful environment for everyone involved.
Lucy Smith, who reached that famous final with Haynes, has also been caught in this whirlwind. While she hasn't been in the spotlight quite as much as Haynes, her presence in that 2025 final was the proof many critics needed to argue that women's pool was being "taken over."
The Reality for Female Players
If you talk to the women on the tour, many are scared. Not of Harriet or Lucy as people, but of the future of their sport. They worry that if the women's category isn't protected, sponsorship money will dry up. Why would a young girl start playing pool if she feels she can never reach the top?
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Lynne Pinches has become the face of this resistance. She’s not just complaining; she’s walking away from matches. That’s a huge statement. Imagine training your whole life, reaching a final, and then putting your cue away because you feel the game is rigged against you before the first ball is even hit.
It’s heartbreaking, whichever way you look at it.
The Next Steps for the Sport
The Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith saga isn't over. Not by a long shot. The court cases are ongoing, and the decisions made in these rooms will likely set the precedent for other "precision sports" like darts or bowling.
If you’re following this story, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The Equality Act 2010: This is the legal backbone of the lawsuits in the UK. The courts have to decide if "fairness" in sport overrides "inclusion" for trans individuals.
- The EBPF Case: This is the big one. If Harriet Haynes wins her case against the federation that banned her, it could force every other pool organization to open their doors.
- Sponsorship and Funding: Watch where the money goes. Some sponsors are starting to get nervous about the controversy and may pull out of women's events entirely if a clear resolution isn't found.
The 2025 final between Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith wasn't just a match. It was a catalyst. It forced a quiet sport into a loud, uncomfortable conversation that it’s still trying to figure out how to have.
To stay informed on the evolving landscape of women’s sports, you should:
- Follow the official rulings from the World Eightball Pool Federation to see how they update their eligibility criteria.
- Monitor the progress of the Equality Act reviews in the UK parliament, as these legal definitions will ultimately dictate how sports categories are managed.
- Support local women’s pool leagues that are working to provide transparent and fair competition for all levels of play.
The game is changing. Whether that's for better or worse depends entirely on who you ask at the side of the table.