Launceston has again carved out its growing niche as the centre for Tasmanian pool when it pocketed the hosting rights to the Australian eight-ball pool championships in October.
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Australia’s best players that have returned from the UK after their breakthrough world championship eight-ball win, are expected to feature during the eight-day tournament at the Country Club Tasmania venue.
The Australian titles that are shared between each of the states and territories over an eight-year cycle has returned to Tasmania.
But Launceston was confirmed as the home of the Tasmanian event ahead of Hobart.
Country Club Tasmania also held the 2008 championships ahead of Wrest Point Casino that last broke the cycle in 2002.
Launceston previously hosted the Australian six-ball championships in April, considered pool’s own version of cricket’s Twenty20 game.
Tasmanian convenor for the Australian eight-ball championships Andrew Saltmarsh gave the thumbs up to the Country Club Tasmania to hold the tournament in favour of Hobart.
“I would say trying to find a venue big enough was the reason,” he said.
“There’s not many venues around and the last one held (in the state) was in 2008, and that was pretty good.”
Saltmarsh believed the contained facility at Prospect was beneficial for players.
He would not rule out Launceston “maybe one day” staging the world eightball pool championships.
“I know there is a lot of people interested in getting it over here, but it’s just the cost the involved at this stage,” Saltmarsh said.
“So even though Australia competes well every year, the amount (of players) that have to come from over there to over here, I’m not sure whether they would do it.
“It’s a big event and a lot of money to run.”
The Silverdome would be a preferred alternative for a world championships.
“You could actually do it when you have all that room and the Country Club still wouldn’t be very far away from there,” Saltmarsh said.
“You’re talking about 30 tables that you would need, so the Silverdome could be a possibility.”
Extra weight to this year’s tournament would be added after the Australians won their first world title since 1996, defeating Ireland 8-6 in the final at Blackpool.
The field in Launceston could include Australian world champions Adam Andretzke, James Delahunty, Jake McCartney, Marc Robertson, Justin Sajich, Michael Scerri, John ‘Rusty’ Wheeler and Steve Woods.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
