For a long time bar billiards was a sport on the margins, enjoyed by a small number of devotees but attracting few casual players.
However, over the last decade that situation has been transformed in York, with a steady increase in the number of local pubs supporting the game, spurred by the creation of York Bar Billiards League in 2014.
In recognition of this, the All England Bar Billiards Association (AEBBA) has chosen York as the stage for its 2022 Challenger Championship, and is now inviting entrants, both locally and nationwide.
The competition will take place at The Crescent on Saturday 20 August, and is open to everyone except players ranked in the UK Top 100 – so it’s a great opportunity for amateur enthusiasts to try their hand at a competitive tournament, without the prospect of running into the bar billiards equivalent of Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Doors will open at 12pm, with the competition kicking off around 2pm. Registration is now open, with an entry fee of £5 payable on the day. To book a place in the draw, just email [email protected] in advance.
The event will start with a group stage, before the group winners enter a knockout competition to challenge for the grand trophy.
A ‘plate’ competition will run parallel with the main knockout, so that players who don’t make it through the group stage will still have a chance to compete for a prize as the day goes on.
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The last time the Challenger Championship took place, in Nottingham in 2019, it was won by York player Colin Chambers, who was handed the trophy by England Captain, Curt Driver.
It was on that day that the idea of bringing the tournament to York first started to take shape.
York Bar Billiards league organiser Michael Shallcross explains: “We first planned to run the competition in 2020, before more urgent global events put things on hold, so we’re thrilled to finally be able to bring it to York in 2022, and to host it at one of our own league venues.
“In keeping with the spirit of the York league, the competition will be friendly and inclusive, giving occasional pub players and complete newcomers the chance to play on competition standard tables, and to learn the game from more seasoned amateurs.
“The England Captain will even be on hand to offer tips and guidance, though he’s strictly barred from competing!”
More information about the York Bar Billiards league can be found here.