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Pool seems to be downturn-proof. The eight-ball game is attracting increased numbers for most events, and sponsors are again becoming interested in the volume of players that go to the pub or club to play.
At the top level, it is reported that the International Pool Tour, which involves the leading players in the world, is 20 percent up on entries compared to last year. Prize monies are nearing £200,000, and if that figure is not achieved this year it should be in 2012. Sponsors are still supporting the elite level of the game, with the Barcelo Hotel Group very pleased by the increase in business for their venues from the competitions they are hosting.
Meanwhile, the English Pool Association (EPA) is again filling out its Vauxhall Holiday Park venue in Great Yarmouth with five events per year. Every one has been supported by more than 1100 players, with three of the events having 1500 in attendance. EPA events cater for all sections of the pool fraternity, with team and individual events for men, ladies, juniors, seniors, wheelchair users, and under-21s.
February sees more than 300 players descend on Malta for the European eight-ball championships, which again cater for all sections of the community. In seven days of international-level pool, there is more than €13,000 to play for, but the most important goal is to win one of the coveted championship awards. Vincent Degiorgio and his Malta Pool Association will be organising the proceedings.
The Europeans are an ideal event for assessing who is likely to be among the world medallists when the Australians, Indians, Africans and the rest of the world arrive in Blackpool for the world eight-ball championships in June and July.
Televised on BSkyB for the 19th consecutive year, the world championships will have up to 100 hours of coverage and pay out a prize fund of more than £30,000. And one of the largest sports sponsors in the country is to be announced as a new supporter.
Mick Hill and Sue Thompson will defend their titles in front of the cameras in what is expected to be the biggest and best world championship contest ever held. To add a little spice, the qualifiers for entry into the final stages have been revamped, too.
But support for pool is not limited to these high-profile events. With 44 county associations and over 300,000 regularly-playing members in more than 300 leagues around the country, there is plenty available for anyone who wants to participate, either in the pub or in the rapidly-expanding pool-club venues.
