Ben Poppinger from Devon Meadows lines up a shot during this week’s Junior National Eight-Ball Championships at Dingley.By Glen Atwell
READY, frame, fire!
Australia’s best junior eight-ball players are pocketing their way towards victory at the Junior National Championships this week.
Contested at Kings Entertainment Complex in Dingley, 60 of the nation’s best juniors pool players will rack up a total of 516 matches across three age groups, culminating in finals that will crown Australia’s junior national champion.
But the eventual winners will add more than just the prestigious title to their cue racks, because the victors in the under 12, under 15 and under 18 divisions will gain selection in the Australian side.
The national side will then travel to England to contest the World Pool Titles later this year.
Vice-president of Pool Victoria Chris Costelloe said players from every corner of Australia were converging on the pool hall in Dingley this week.
“Every state and territory is represented at the junior nationals,” he said.
“We started with an opening ceremony on Monday and the finals are this Saturday, it’s an exciting week for Australian eight-ball.”
Of the table talent competing, Costelloe said Devon Meadows under-18 Ben Pottinger, runner-up in the recent Victorian junior championships, was a serious contender in the national under 18 division.
“Ben is definitely one of the best under 18 players in the state and is playing great pool,” he said.
All 60 competitors are staying at the close-by Dingley International Motor Inn, where they are being well looked after according to Costelloe.
“The Dingley International has been great in helping us organise accommodation,” he said.
A representative from the motel said the eight-ball players had been extremely well behaved.
“They’ve been great and have enjoyed swimming in a pool of a different kind every night.”
