Story perspectives

Transgender Player Appeals Ban from Women's Pool Tournaments

4/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Harriet Haynes, a transgender pool player, is appealing a court decision banning her from women’s English eight-ball tournaments.
The ruling bases eligibility on birth-assigned sex, citing a Supreme Court decision defining a woman as biologically female.
The Darts Regulation Authority has banned transgender women from its women’s events, affecting Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
Haynes argues the bans are unnecessary for fairness and may violate human rights protections.

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Story summary

Harriet Haynes, a transgender pool player, is appealing a court decision banning her from women’s English eight-ball tournaments.
The ruling bases eligibility on birth-assigned sex, citing a Supreme Court decision defining a woman as biologically female.
The Darts Regulation Authority has banned transgender women from its women’s events, affecting Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
Haynes argues the bans are unnecessary for fairness and may violate human rights protections.