PRESS RELEASE
Great Britain's Official 9 Ball Tour
www.gb9balltour.com
www.rileys.co.uk
Thursday 25 November 2010
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GB 9 Ball Tour Qualifying Events for 2011 Season
The GB 9 Ball Tour are pleased to the qualifying events for places on the 2011 tour season. Players may enter multiple qualifiers if they are not successful on their first attempt. The number of tour places available will not be known until nearer the time but we expect at least 8 spots to be available at each of the 3 qualifying events.
If successful in qualifying you will become a full member of GB9 for the 2011 season and membership fees will then be payable as detailed here.
GB9 Midlands Qualifier - Rileys Solihull - 9 January 2011
GB9 Northern Qualifier - Rileys Barnsley - 16 January 2011
GB9 Southern Qualifier - Rileys Shepherds Bush - 23 January 2011
Players must arrive by 10:30am. with registration and practice from 10:00am. Matches are expected to start at 11am. It is difficult to predict the time play will finish as this is dependant upon the number of players entering but typically the day finishes between 5pm and 7pm.
"Read More..." for the details.
How to enter
The only way to enter is by pre-registration using the link at the bottom of this page.
These are open qualifying events. Any player may participate, including those relegated from the GB 9 Ball Tour in previous seasons and those having failed in previous qualifying events.
Closing date
Applications must be submitted via the GB9 website by 12 noon the day before the event.
Format
Each event will use a group-based round robin format. The number of groups and qualifiers from each group will depend on the number of entrants to each event. Matches are expected to be race to 8 though the tournament organiser may change this depending on the number of entrants. GB 9 rules apply.
Entry fee
The entry fee per event is £25 if paid in advance before the closing date. Alternatively payment of £35 cash will be accepted on the day of the event but only from players who have pre-registered using the link below. Absolutely no entries will be accepted on the day of the event.
If you are successful in qualifying for the tour £25 will be credited towards your annual membership fee.
Payment details will be provided after submitting your online application form. If you have already completed your application and now wish to pay your fee click here to link directly to the payment page.
Dress Code
There is no dress code for the qualifiers.
Venue details
For information about the venues including directions use the Club Finder at Rileys website.
Cancelling your entry
If you wish to cancel your entry contact the event organiser before the closing date, otherwise the appropriate fee will be due.
Contact details
* Solihull - Andy Warden - 07767 660885
* Barnsley - Lee Rigby - 07961444430
* Shepherds Bush - Adam Stevens - 07772597819
GB9 announces plans for 2011 season
After long and very careful consideration the GB9 Committee have decided to hold all five events at the Barcelo Daventry hotel for the 2011 season. This decision has been taken for a number of reasons. First and foremost we have received feedback from a multitude of current GB9 players stating that the Barcelo Daventry has provided the best tournament and playing conditions of our inaugural season in hotel venues, and asking us to consider using this venue for all events. The hotel is centrally located and positioned close to both the M6 and M1 motorways and so relative to other potential venues provides good access for GB9 members in most parts of the country. The tournament room is also ideal and gives ample playing and spectator space, including the potential to move to an arena style set up for final tables.
In addition to the excellent tournament and hotel facilities, the use of the Barcelo Daventry throughout 2011 will allow the tour committee to constrain the considerable costs associated with the storage, transportation and installation of the GB9 tables for tournaments weekends. Our intention where possible is therefore to use this opportunity to further improve player experience during events, including developments which we have been unable to implement during 2010 due to cost.
As ever we will try to gauge player reaction and experience throughout 2011 and reflect this in decisions regarding venues for 2012 and beyond.
In recognition of the support shown by our members in this our first season in hotel venues there will be no forced relegation for any player and we invite all members to renew their membership. Details of the entry fees payable in 2011 are available at the GB9 website where you can pay your fees as well.
The event schedule for 2011 is now finalised.
Tour Stop 1 GB9 Midlands Classic : Barceló - Daventry : 11-13 March
Tour Stop 2 GB9 Paul Medati Trophy : Barceló - Daventry : 17-19 June
Tour Stop 3 GB9 Northern Masters : Barceló - Daventry : 5-7 August
Tour Stop 4 GB9 Southern Masters : Barceló - Daventry : 2-4 September
Tour Stop 5 GB9 British Grand Prix : Barceló - Daventry : 18-20 November
Following our experience in 2010, where we had to reduce the number of events to 5 due to a serious fire at one of the venues, we've decided to make a permanent change to a 5 stop tour. With the events played in a 8 to 9 month window we feel that 5 tour stops is about right. Otherwise we would have several tournaments within a month of each other. Whilst this was just about manageable when using Rileys Clubs we think it is too much of a financial burden on players when in hotel venues.
For those players nearing the end of the 2010 season and wondering whether they have done enough to make the leap up from Challenge to Pro Division can check the criteria at the GB9 website.
We've now posted details of the qualifiers for next years tour. If you know anyone who is interested in joining GB9 next season please encourage them to get their names down by completing the qualifier entry form on our website. Spots will be available to bring the tour membership back up to 144 filling the spots vacated by any existing tour players who chose not to rejoin by the closing date.
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