2023 DIARY OF EVENTS
Details on how to enter etc will be posted on our Facebook Page at Nipa Pool in the run up to events. Or you can also send us any queries or questions also to Nipa Pool.
2022 NORTHERN IRELAND SPECIAL POOL LADIES TEAM & INDIVIDUALS
On Tuesday 22nd November it was the turn of our lady players to take centre stage as they competed in the 2022 NI Ladies Individual and Team Championships. In the team event old rivals Maghera and Mountfern contested the final with Maghera emerging winners by 5 frames to 4 after a truly epic match. In the Team Plate event Greystone were out gunned in the final by an impressive select team of Joanne Kerr, Brenda Delargy and Natash Thursby.
In the top half of the individuals draw the much improved Natasha Thursby made her way to the semi-final with a notable win over multiple World Champion Valeria Taggart in the quarter final. Things didn’t get any easier for Natasha in the semi final as she came up against former N.Ireland champion Susan O’Kane which proved to be just one step too far for her to overcome. In the bottom half of the draw past winner Briege McFaul overcame Francis McCann and Patricia McTasney as she progressed to the semi final but unfortunately had to withdraw from the event at this stage. This handed her semi-final opponent Branda Healy a walk over to the final. Brenda had reached the semi-final with comfortable wins over Leona Harrison and Catherine McDonald. In the final Susan played immaculate pool to be crowned the 2002 Ladies Individual Champion.
In the plate event Jacqueline Gault competing in her first N.Ireland Championship had 3 good wins to make the final where she came up against the vastly experienced Francis McCann. In the evenly contested final Francis’s experience proved to be the difference as she came out on top with a two frames to one win.
With a record 22 lady players entering the individuals all players should be proud of their achievements on the day.
The committee and players would once again like to thanks the staff of Antrim Sports Club for hosting the event.
RATHMOYLE 'A' WIN NI SPECIALS TITLE
Trophies presented by John Clarke, the Northern Ireland Specials 'A' Team Manager
NORTHERN IRELAND SPECIAL POOL 2022 MENS INDVIDUAL
PADDY IS CHAMPION AGAIN
THE 2023 EBA NATIONS CUP OF POOL
Please note date changes for the 2023 European Blackball Association Nations Cup of Pool. Great to be going back to the fantastic Spa Arena in Bridlington to meet friends old and new. Hard to believe it's 2019 since we were last there.
2022 WORLD BLACKBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS PROGRAMME
Fantastic Programme for the 2022 World Blackball Championships in Albi. watch this for space for the upcoming detailed day to day schedule.
OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES
The NIPA Committee are devastated to learn of the passing of our long time member Gary Johnston early this morning on Sunday 19th June. We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Gary's brother Stephen and the whole family circle at this very sad time.
Gary who represented Northern Ireland at Men's and Seniors level had just turned 50 and was looking forward to playing in our Masters section.
He will be sadly missed. RIP Gary
NEW TEAM NI SPONSORSHIP DEAL
EBA 2023 UK SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES
2022 MENS GRAND PRIX
The next Event in the NIPA 2022 Grand Prix Series takes place in Antrim Sports Club on Sunday 3rd April. The first 64 payments received will be guaranteed entry. Draw and scoring on Cuescore.
2022 WILLIE LUCAS SUPER 7s
This Saturday 5th March sees the First leg ties in the Quarter Finals of the 2022 NIPA Willie Lucas Super 7s Memorial. The return Leg will be on Sunday 20th March.
Coach Club, Hillsborough V Q.Club, Larne
Blackstaff Club, Belfast V Q.Sports Academy, Fintona
Crumlin, Antrim V Ulster University OB, Belfast
QE2, Carrickfergus V Potters, Coleraine
Matches start at 2.00pm, Best of 49 frames with matches stopping when a team reaches 25
Team Captains as follows
Coach Club ~ Gordon Boomer
Q.Club ~ Ryan Scott
Blackstaff Club ~ Gerard Heaney
Q.Sports Academy ~ Barry Cunningham
Crumlin ~ Kenny Geddis
Ulster Uni ~ James O'Hare
QE2 ~ Gary Wallace
Potters ~ Willie Eakin
Score sheets will be delivered to each venue with a copy of Team Captains notes. Any questions from Team Captains please PM us.
Best of luck to all teams.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO FRANCE FOR THE BLACKBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OCTOBER
The French Billiard Federation confirms its membership of the EBA and will conduct this event with the members of the EBA, regardless of the outcome of the current international situation of Blackball.
Yours in sport,
Jean-Paul SINANIAN
FFB President
Fédération Française de Billard
EBA RESIGN FROM BI
LETTER SENT TO BLACKBALL INTERNATIONAL FROM THE EBA
Dear members,
The EBA Committee (all nations) has had to make the very hard decision of leaving BlackBall International (BI) which will be as effective immediately at midnight 6th February, for the reasons listed below:
1. We believe that in our interpretation of the constitution BI have acted unconstitutionally and have been informed of this.
2. We have requested an EGM back in September/October 2021 calling a vote of no confidence in the President of BI which fell on deaf ears. We have written a complaint and advised that we would have to review our position within BI to which they responded with arranging a meeting for 2 weeks later, even though it was clear of how detrimental the outcome of this meeting could be to the World Championships.
3. When requested by the EBA to speed up the meetings still more delaying tactics followed from BI.
4. We have no confidence in the President of BI who has demonstrated through his actions in BI that if you do not agree with him he makes sure to get rid of you.
5. We have noted that Malaysia, who was voted in to represent Asia in an EGM that was unconstitutional, has now recognised this and has written to BI rescinding its membership too. Which just reinforces our decision
What we request is that the BI Board be dissolved and the BI Council meet and rewrite the constitution as it is very ambiguous and once we have the constitution rewritten and agreed upon at an AGM with Council members, then and only then can we proceed in electing a board and moving forward.
Once the Board has been dissolved EBA would consider returning so it may input in the rewriting of the constitution and re-election of the Board.
Yours in Sport
Sean Rumbado
EBA Chairman
On Behalf of the EBA Committee
The European Blackball Association
Secretary: David Duncan
31 Blake Street, Dunfermline FIFE KY11 4PW SCOTLAND
Mobile: 07803 264780 e-mail: dduncan65@hotmail.co.uk
EBA email: europeanbb@outlook.com
Web site: http://www.eba-pool.org