The English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) introduced the ban in August 2023, prompting professional player Harriet Haynes to bring a claim of direct discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment.

However, His Honour Judge Parker, sitting in Canterbury County Court, dismissed the claim, concluding that the policy was a “reasonable” and proportionate way of ensuring “fair competition”.

He ruled that pool qualifies as a “gender-affected activity” and that barring players born male from the female category was necessary to secure competitive integrity.

The case comes in the wake the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland which defined a woman under equalities law as someone who is biologically female, with implications for the application of the Equality Act. The Act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex and gender reassignment, among other protected characteristics.

The EBPF welcomed the judgment and reiterated that transgender players remain eligible to compete in the sport’s ‘open’ category. A spokesperson for the organisation said: “The court found that pool is a game in which men have an advantage over women and that allowing only those born as women to compete in our women’s competitions is necessary to secure fair competition.”

It had argued that male puberty conferred certain physical advantages relevant to cue sports, including break speed, hand span and reach.

Ms Haynes, who had been excluded from the Kent Women’s A team, said the policy caused her significant distress and subjected her to online abuse. In her claim, she also argued that the policy breached her ECHR rights, including the right to respect for private and family life.

The EBPF rejected the discrimination claim on the basis that “she was born male”.

Ms Haynes’ solicitor, Matt Champ of Colman Coyle, said: “We are reflecting on the judgment and our next steps which will include whether or not we appeal.”