Can someone explain how someone could qualify for US Youth Championships?

jasondavis4422

jasondavis4422

Member
Hi everyone,
You may have seen me posting around this forum, and I just joined. I am curious about the pathways for young players (high school/college students) to compete in tournaments and potentially qualify for any broader tournaments like at the regional level? I've looked at the APA website, but they aren't very clear about the path to get there. Any information would be helpful.
 
It mainly depends on your area and if there are junior league program. APA has a junior National tournament. Most states hold a BEF qualifier at their state tournaments. Many juniors play in handicapped adult tournaments if they are allowed inside the pool hall. You could contact your local APA league operator and ask about a junior program. VNEA has a great national tournament. ACS, MPA and other leagues allow kids to play if it is ok with the pool room.
 
Here is a reply I just got to an inquiry to the BEF about the U22 portion:

Yes, the 2023 BEF Jr Nationals will have a U22 10Ball Championship. For that event it is open registration and will be accessible on the BEF web site in April.​
​
The Junior Nationals will take place in Quincy, IL, July 25-30, 2023.

I think the privately-owned pool leagues (APA, VNEA, BCAPL, ???) require the juniors to be player-members of the league if they run junior events. I know that the just-completed BCAPL junior event required membership. The BEF does not require such membership and conducts qualifiers for categories that are not open entry to the Nationals.
 
jasondavis4422 said:
Hi everyone,
You may have seen me posting around this forum, and I just joined. I am curious about the pathways for young players (high school/college students) to compete in tournaments and potentially qualify for any broader tournaments like at the regional level? I've looked at the APA website, but they aren't very clear about the path to get there. Any information would be helpful.
Click to expand...

Contact Roy Pastor in Harvard/Ayer MA, he runs leagues out of The Billiards Cafe (2 hours south of you) including a junior one. He can get you all the info you need about junior leagues.

Roy Pastor – PBIA

playbetterbilliards.com playbetterbilliards.com
www.neusapoolleague.com

New England USA Pool League

Find us on FaceBook
www.neusapoolleague.com www.neusapoolleague.com
 
Bob Jewett said:
Here is a reply I just got to an inquiry to the BEF about the U22 portion:

Yes, the 2023 BEF Jr Nationals will have a U22 10Ball Championship. For that event it is open registration and will be accessible on the BEF web site in April.​
​
The Junior Nationals will take place in Quincy, IL, July 25-30, 2023.

I think the privately-owned pool leagues (APA, VNEA, BCAPL, ???) require the juniors to be player-members of the league if they run junior events. I know that the just-completed BCAPL junior event required membership. The BEF does not require such membership and conducts qualifiers for categories that are not open entry to the Nationals.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys! I saw on the BEF website that they also host national qualifiers for U-14, U-16, U-18, and U-22 divisions. We could maybe host one of these national qualifiers for all these divisions, but then the U-22 division is open-registration. Could we maybe advertise it as a regional championship or a national tournament that prepares players for the actual tournament a month later in IL? If we join these privately-owned leagues, then we could still host qualifiers for these tournaments, correct? Then, we can host qualifiers specifically for these leagues and then a wider, public regional tournament for the Billiards Education Program, where everyone can come and play, if I am not mistaken.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top