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EPT LONDON OPEN...31st March/1st April |
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sneakypete
Just can't stay away
Joined: 08-Mar-2007
Posts: 141
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Posted: 2007-03-14 15:44
On 2007-03-14 14:01 , Riggers Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! Interstingly about Germany... I was talking to Ralph last week and he says he rarely plays in any competitions in Germany except the Euro tour. The reason being that there are so many local competitions all over the country catering for the average players that not enough people bother to attend the larger events with the top players. So (and these are my words not his) in effect I guess this means all those ameteur tournaments have killed off top level competetive pool in Germany. Exactly what im on about,the reason for that is probarly that there are by far more average players than pro players.Also many of the topplyers are not allowed to enter these events.I think though there is still plenty to do for players like Ralf and players that are that good.
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The_Teach
Home away from home
Joined: 15-Mar-2006
Posts: 184
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Posted: 2007-03-14 15:46
I used to own APN it has now moved to new ownership but I know that what I started will grow and is right for UK pool at an amateur level.
The main problem that Cusack touched on is that in the UK the number 1 cuesport is Snooker, recent market research has concluded that there are still 4.5 million snooker players nationwide. That is a massive 7.5% of the whole UK population. The reason for this? Media coverage and the BBC. Everyone (well almost) has a TV that can receive the BBC whereas SKY Sports (that do most of the Pool coverage) is only subscribed to in a few million homes. Of these subscribers the majority have bought the package for the Football which is still the largest sepctator sport in the UK.
Even those that would be interested in pool probably don't get to see it as it is on whilst they are at work.
My point is that to grow the sport it has to be done a bit at a time - amateur leagues are a step in the right direction and are appealing already to non pool players.
The game will grow at tournament level and media level if more people are playing it. This does not happen overnight and does take time. We are way behind the continent in terms of facilities for pool but the main fact is that more people play snooker in the UK.
Just my thoughts anyway!!!
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sneakypete
Just can't stay away
Joined: 08-Mar-2007
Posts: 141
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Posted: 2007-03-14 15:52
On 2007-03-14 15:46 , The_Teach Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! I used to own APN it has now moved to new ownership but I know that what I started will grow and is right for UK pool at an amateur level.
The main problem that Cusack touched on is that in the UK the number 1 cuesport is Snooker, recent market research has concluded that there are still 4.5 million snooker players nationwide. That is a massive 7.5% of the whole UK population. The reason for this? Media coverage and the BBC. Everyone (well almost) has a TV that can receive the BBC whereas SKY Sports (that do most of the Pool coverage) is only subscribed to in a few million homes. Of these subscribers the majority have bought the package for the Football which is still the largest sepctator sport in the UK.
Even those that would be interested in pool probably don't get to see it as it is on whilst they are at work.
My point is that to grow the sport it has to be done a bit at a time - amateur leagues are a step in the right direction and are appealing already to non pool players.
The game will grow at tournament level and media level if more people are playing it. This does not happen overnight and does take time. We are way behind the continent in terms of facilities for pool but the main fact is that more people play snooker in the UK.
Just my thoughts anyway!!! I would have to agree isnt it a pitty though give it a few years and pool might become the nr1 cuesport.The same happened in Holland 10years ago there were far more snooker being played in clubs,nowadays your lucky to find a game also were there use to be 15 snookertables and 2 pool tables it is now the other way around.
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sneakypete
Just can't stay away
Joined: 08-Mar-2007
Posts: 141
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Posted: 2007-03-14 16:08
On 2007-03-14 15:46 , The_Teach Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! I used to own APN it has now moved to new ownership but I know that what I started will grow and is right for UK pool at an amateur level.
The main problem that Cusack touched on is that in the UK the number 1 cuesport is Snooker, recent market research has concluded that there are still 4.5 million snooker players nationwide. That is a massive 7.5% of the whole UK population. The reason for this? Media coverage and the BBC. Everyone (well almost) has a TV that can receive the BBC whereas SKY Sports (that do most of the Pool coverage) is only subscribed to in a few million homes. Of these subscribers the majority have bought the package for the Football which is still the largest sepctator sport in the UK.
Even those that would be interested in pool probably don't get to see it as it is on whilst they are at work.
My point is that to grow the sport it has to be done a bit at a time - amateur leagues are a step in the right direction and are appealing already to non pool players.
The game will grow at tournament level and media level if more people are playing it. This does not happen overnight and does take time. We are way behind the continent in terms of facilities for pool but the main fact is that more people play snooker in the UK.
Just my thoughts anyway!!! Snooker is a typical british sport and has been around for decades if not centuries.But if topplayers like Hann.o Sullivan are entering pool events im thinking that even these players are getting board of snooker.Its a great game but pool is just an even greater game.I saw Ronnie play a snookertournament a few months ago were he was playing a lot of shots with a closed bridge,it looks like hes falling in love with the game.Thats exactly what we need cause its players like him who can really do something for pool.If you look over in the States there is pool on tv everyday,with Asia not doing to bad either.
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