Eden Blackball pool athletes excel
The Eden District Blackball Pool Team participated in the National Blackball Pool Championships 2023 held at Bellville’s Ultimate Pool Centre in Bellville South from 25 August to 8 September. The championship was presented by the South African Blackball Federation (SABF) and the Western Cape Pool Union.
The Eden athletes, who participated under the banner of the Western Cape Blackball Federation, were hoping to claim their spots in the National Protea Team that will participate in both the World Championships in Malta in October 2024 and the EBA Nations Cup in Bridlington, England in March 2024.
The Eden players displayed explosive skill, determination and hand-eye coordination that astonished many competitors.
The Eden Men's first team obtained joint 30th position after they lost in the semi-finals. The Eden Men's second team gave good account of themselves although they had to bow out during the preliminary rounds.
Eden athletes also competed in the Senior, Masters and u.24 divisions, as well as the men's and ladies' singles competitions.
In the men's division, Eden's Ivancius
Abrahams (10th), Clinton Meintjies (11th) and Martin Hector (12th) ended in the top 12 and automatically qualified for Protea colours. Clinton Blaauw was unfortunate to obtain 14th position and did not qualify for Protea selection. However, he finished second in the singles competition.
In the SABF Men's Division, Eden's Danie Swart (9th) and Deon Floris (10th) were selected for the Protea team while in the Senior Division, Donovan Geswindt (7th) and Brian Elly (11th) also qualified. Brian's daughter, Canada Elly, surprised everyone when she ended fifth overall and was also awarded Protea colours together with another Eden athlete, Devan Finnies, who obtained the third place overall.
In the Ladies Division, Shasha-Lee Amsterdam earned Protea colours after she not only excelled in the Ladies division, but also was the runner-up of the Ladies Singles Division.
The executive committee of the SABF extended a special word of appreciation for the sportsmanship displayed by all delegates and athletes. Eden Cue Sport and Eden Blackball Federation were elated about the dominance of its members at the competition, with a total of 10 of its athletes selected to represent South Africa at the world championships next year.
They wish them well with their preparations, practice and the obtaining of funds to enable them to travel abroad.