AEBF

MESSAGE FROM
THE AUSTRALIAN 8-BALL PRESIDENT

Congratulations to the Victorian Junior Cueists Association (VJCA) and all State
Junior committees in co-ordinating to stage this – the Inaugural Junior Australian
Titles – in Melbourne. A job well done.

Having myself been involved for some 20 years in the a-ball scene it is most
rewarding to witness – at last – so many Juniors becoming involved and
most of all enjoying the sport and competing – very competitively at all levels,
a standard that would put many senior players to shame.

Over the last few years 8-ball has grown so much in popularity and so many
people are coming to realise the game’s full potential and this will ensure
that it will lead to Olympic game recognition.

In the hear future, we trust it will receive official recognition and become part
of school curriculum for both boys and girls who wish to compete in sport
but do not wish to play a contact or physical sport as part of their school
sporting programme.

Schools and the Education Department now realise that the “cloth sports”
have so many benefits to offer young people that they cannot and should not
be ignored i.e. it’s a sport that can be played by both boys AND girls (as no
extra physical strength is required), it develops hand/eye co-ordination,
deportment, strategy (like in chess), Maths (numbers and angles), dress
standards, behaviour and most importantly, sportsmanship. Some players learn
(teach themselves) to be proficient with both left and right hand cueing action.
These and many other skills that will be beneficial well into adulthood.
Thanks must go also to the very many helpers and of course the sponsors
for all their efforts to make this inaugural event successful.
Best of luck to all entrants and I trust that in the future years we will witness
more junior participation in the cloths sports.

LANCE SHEEN

AUSTRALIAN EIGHT BALL FEDERATION COMMITTEE
President: Lance Sheen (Victoria)
V/President: Terry Green (Western Australia)
Secretary: Mrs Pam Rowe (South Australia)
Treasurer: Mrs Lauri Sheen (Victoria)
Promotions:Sam Heywood-Smith (Victoria)
 

BEN BOLTON (10), JOHL YOUNGER (12) and CHRIS LILLY (15) have made their way into history books by becoming the first Australian Junior 8-Ball Champions. Ben Bolton of W.A. nicknamed the Iceman, gained this with his cool confident approach and playing ability at the table.

He has considerable talent and tactical mind which helped him outscore his opponents in every game he played. He won every game in his tournament and in the semifinals convincingly defeated Vic. Sean Partridge 4/0 and in the final beat S.A. Corey Gordon 5/0.

Johl Younger of Bachus Marsh Vic. proved his win in the Victorian State Titles last month was well deserved when he defeated the best U/ ISs in Australia and became the National Champion. He went through the tournament undefeated and in the semi finals he met Aaron Mahoney (1990 U/12 Vic State Champion) winning 4/2.

Then in the finals he met Lee Mitchell (U l5 Vic State Champion 89 90). runner-up this year. This was the hardest match with a see-sawing action between the two players of six frames before Johl finally took control of the game in the eighth frame winning 5/3 In the closests of finals.
Chris Lilly of Victoria provided the surprise of the tournament, after being defeated 1/3 in the first round by George Platt W.A. he won the next match to go through as Rj up to meet Robert Norman in the semi-finals.

This is the second time these palyers have met this year with Robert narrowly defeating Chris in the State Finals. This proved to be the closest match of the tournament with both players of equal ability.

Chris finally won on the last frame 4/3 narrowly defeating Robert and winning his way to the finals. Travis Crawley of N.T. made his way to the finals by coming second in a three way playoff against Robert Norman Vic. and Louis Condo S.A. He then went on to defeat George Platt WA 4/1.

The final was an anticlimax as Chris hit top form he tied up each frame with white ball control and straegic play, these tactics worked, frustrating Travis so Christopher easliy won the match 5/0.

The excellent umpiring throughout the event was due to three fully qualilied umpires from the Junior ranks. Pranav Munim (15), James Thornton (14) and Sandra Tilly ( 16). Also senior qualifted umpires Jason Sach, Bert Klubel Neil Thornton, Peter Lilly ard as always Les Mitchell. The dress standard and table ettiquette of all players and unpires provided a wondeful spectacle for the big audience thatcame to see the match.

This included local people, pennant and state players and top officials in the sport. The Mayor of the City of Croydon opened the tournament at the venue which had been donated by the city. At the closure by Margarite Lopez it was announced N.T. is to approach the National body to hold the Junior Titles in N.T. next year. This year national included a strong contingent from W.A. players from S.A. and N.T.

Hopefully the Senior bodies in all states will get their act together by next year and meet us in Darwin. Juniors are on the go!

Ref: PUB & CLUB SPORTS. VOL 3 APRIL 1991

Courtesy of Lance Sheen