All great suggestions Dan but you need to bring them up at a forum that counts, the annual AGM during the tournament. Personally we are trying to secure enough funds to send a female and a male to the amateurs along with some expense money for our top junior from the Lucasi Amateur Shootout. Our final is March the 10th and we are GUARANTYING $1000 added...you must have partipated in 2 out of the 8 events, there are 3 left...Feb 4th at STrokers in London, Feb 11th at Big Wigs in Newmarket, then the last qualifier is March 3rd at Strokers in London before the GRAND FINALE MARCH 10TH & 11TH IN NEWMARKET AT BIG WIGS.
Canadian Championships 2012
- Thread starter jaycast16
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All great suggestions Dan but you need to bring them up at a forum that counts, the annual AGM during the tournament. Personally we are trying to secure enough funds to send a female and a male to the amateurs along with some expense money for our top junior from the Lucasi Amateur Shootout. Our final is March the 10th and we are GUARANTYING $1000 added...you must have partipated in 2 out of the 8 events, there are 3 left...Feb 4th at STrokers in London, Feb 11th at Big Wigs in Newmarket, then the last qualifier is March 3rd at Strokers in London before the GRAND FINALE MARCH 10TH & 11TH IN NEWMARKET AT BIG WIGS.
You get my vote!!
I have to agree, most amateur players have jobs, we play on weekends and on days off. The pro's on the other hand are exactly that.... PRO'S....and spend nearly every day in the pool hall. I've seen many amateur players leave the weekly tournaments "early" because it's getting late and have to work in the morning but they just want to play, they are happy to just get their entry back and have a free night out. I would guess that the schedule inconveniences more amateurs than pro's by far. Of course they are not going to cater to the amateurs........so all we can do is................MAKE MORE BALLS!
I have to agree, most amateur players have jobs, we play on weekends and on days off. The pro's on the other hand are exactly that.... PRO'S....and spend nearly every day in the pool hall. I've seen many amateur players leave the weekly tournaments "early" because it's getting late and have to work in the morning but they just want to play, they are happy to just get their entry back and have a free night out. I would guess that the schedule inconveniences more amateurs than pro's by far. Of course they are not going to cater to the amateurs........so all we can do is................MAKE MORE BALLS!
Exactly how many PROs in Canada do you think don't have jobs or need to work for a living? Pool is an income supplement for professional players in Canada, not a living.
Just sayn....
Tell me how many "pros" work an actual job. A non pool related job. (lessons, installs, clinics etc)
I'd say none.
Here are the players who I think are pros.
John Morra
Erik Hjorleifson
Jason Klatt
Edwin Montal
Alain Martel
Adam Smith
Brittany Bryant (I know she works sometimes)
If any of them work, I bet it would be easier for them to get a week off than for instance myself as an example.
I think this quote says it all.......
About Edwin Montal
Edwin “Sweet Stroke” Montal was born in the Philippines, however resides in Canada. He is ranked #1 on the Stan James Canadian 9-Ball Tour, and placed 2nd in the 2006 US Bar Table Championships. He has been playing professionally for 6 years and is looking forward to a great Tournament at the Venetian. “Finally I can make a career out of playing pool. Thanks to the IPT.”
I don't think that quote says that the pros work.
It says in 2006?07? That Edwin stopped working.
He was agreeing with you.
The previous quote was saying that the pros had jobs.
I'm confused.
Either way. Cbsa needs to look at what the players want.
Thought I Should Jump In Here
I have been reading all the posts & felt that I should give my point of view. The men's amateur full field is 64 & in the last 3 years we had 62, 54, & 46. Although the total has dropped in the last 3 years, still figures that the CBSA are reasonably pleased with.
But in saying all that, if there is a way to increase the field & make players happier, we will consider it. For example, we use to play the open snooker from mid week to mid week, and two years ago the MB players presented a proposal to play in from a Sunday to Saturday so most of the visiting participants would only have to take 1 week off of work, instead of 2, like some of them had to.
So, as Grace already mentioned, you can only accomplish so much in forums. I suggest that if one is interested in any change, they should put it on paper, or send me an email. But a couple things that you should keep in mind.
1) Our championships are presently run over 12 days, & we really do not wish to extend them any longer, if possible. although this year we had to for the women events to end before US Open & World 9-Ball starts. It would also be nice to keep them in a two week block, instead of 3.
2) The amateur events has to be at the beginning or end. We can't start the open events, then stop them for 3 days.
3) Keep in mind of the participants from out of Province. The scheduling has to be made to allow them to play in as many events as possible, in as short as time as possible. They are not only taking time off of work, but also paying travel & accommodations expenses.
Now in saying all of this, I would rather see opinions in how to increase the open pool events. As I already mentioned CBSA is reasonably pleased with the amateur numbers. The easiest way is to get the Provinces better organized in pool. And I feel that this is getting better. Gilles Richard has stepped forward in AB & Michael Ma in BC & are holding pool qualifiers this year. Great news & very much appreciated by CBSA.
In the last few years, snooker organization in Western Canada, is better than pool, completely opposite to Eastern Canada. So when you look at the open pool divisions you see 12 from Eastern Canada & 3 in the snooker, but there will be 12 from Western Canada in the snooker & 4 in the pool. With Ma & Richard pitching in, we are hoping to get more pool players from Western Canada this year.
Now if we could get some from "out west" in the amateur events, the 64 would be quite easy to fill.
So, if you have any ideas that you think will improve participation at the Canadians, please send me a note. And if you are really interested & concerned, the biggest contribution you can make is by providing support to your respective Provinces. The Provinces govern CBSA, & can only be as "powerful" as the state of the Provinces. Some of the Provincial contacts on the cbsa web page are outdated, but will be up-to-date by the end of February.
Thanks,
Steve Cooper
President, CBSA
I have been reading all the posts & felt that I should give my point of view. The men's amateur full field is 64 & in the last 3 years we had 62, 54, & 46. Although the total has dropped in the last 3 years, still figures that the CBSA are reasonably pleased with.
But in saying all that, if there is a way to increase the field & make players happier, we will consider it. For example, we use to play the open snooker from mid week to mid week, and two years ago the MB players presented a proposal to play in from a Sunday to Saturday so most of the visiting participants would only have to take 1 week off of work, instead of 2, like some of them had to.
So, as Grace already mentioned, you can only accomplish so much in forums. I suggest that if one is interested in any change, they should put it on paper, or send me an email. But a couple things that you should keep in mind.
1) Our championships are presently run over 12 days, & we really do not wish to extend them any longer, if possible. although this year we had to for the women events to end before US Open & World 9-Ball starts. It would also be nice to keep them in a two week block, instead of 3.
2) The amateur events has to be at the beginning or end. We can't start the open events, then stop them for 3 days.
3) Keep in mind of the participants from out of Province. The scheduling has to be made to allow them to play in as many events as possible, in as short as time as possible. They are not only taking time off of work, but also paying travel & accommodations expenses.
Now in saying all of this, I would rather see opinions in how to increase the open pool events. As I already mentioned CBSA is reasonably pleased with the amateur numbers. The easiest way is to get the Provinces better organized in pool. And I feel that this is getting better. Gilles Richard has stepped forward in AB & Michael Ma in BC & are holding pool qualifiers this year. Great news & very much appreciated by CBSA.
In the last few years, snooker organization in Western Canada, is better than pool, completely opposite to Eastern Canada. So when you look at the open pool divisions you see 12 from Eastern Canada & 3 in the snooker, but there will be 12 from Western Canada in the snooker & 4 in the pool. With Ma & Richard pitching in, we are hoping to get more pool players from Western Canada this year.
Now if we could get some from "out west" in the amateur events, the 64 would be quite easy to fill.
So, if you have any ideas that you think will improve participation at the Canadians, please send me a note. And if you are really interested & concerned, the biggest contribution you can make is by providing support to your respective Provinces. The Provinces govern CBSA, & can only be as "powerful" as the state of the Provinces. Some of the Provincial contacts on the cbsa web page are outdated, but will be up-to-date by the end of February.
Thanks,
Steve Cooper
President, CBSA
The players out here in BC have simply given up, there is no motivation to attend the CBSA or BCCS events. Money is the only thing that will get them back playing, simple as that. Put up 30k and they will be dusting off their cues in a heartbeat until then the Canadians will remain the Ontario open amateur championship.
Actually, if you knew the history of the ITP, you'd know that it turned out to be a pipe dream and Edwin still has to work.
At the time, that was the best shot the pros had at making a living at playing pool and it went bust.
In short, there are no Canadian Pros that I know of that earn a living wage at playing pool.
I didn't say they made good money, I said they didn't have jobs. Other than Edwin who you say has a job, I don't think any of them work. Alex makes enough playing, Johnny seems to be doing ok, the rest just get by on the money they do make.
8's and 9's can't play in the Cdn. Amateur
The eligibility requirements for the Canadian amateur tournament and the open are ridiculous. You can only play in the amateur event if your a 7 handicap or lower, thus the tournament is basically all 6's and 7's. Now we have the 8 handicap players sitting there wanting to play but knowing they have no chance with the pros, it would be nice to get in for the experience but don't you think $300-$400 is kind of expensive. Think about the 8's in Ontario........are they pro's?...no they are not. With this said I could almost guarantee they would get more players over all (between both events) if they let 8's and 9's in the amateur event. Just my opinion..........I am a 7, not looking for things to benefit myself at all but to benefit the game in Canada itself. Another thing is, if you are a 7, play well, get knocked up to an 8.........how do you feel now...........it's like starting all over again at a hefty price........or maybe we should all just go and sit on the bench until they do something at least half logical. This is common sense if you ask me....I'd love to hear their explanation for these rules. Off to the tournament now..........better not play "too" good!
The eligibility requirements for the Canadian amateur tournament and the open are ridiculous. You can only play in the amateur event if your a 7 handicap or lower, thus the tournament is basically all 6's and 7's. Now we have the 8 handicap players sitting there wanting to play but knowing they have no chance with the pros, it would be nice to get in for the experience but don't you think $300-$400 is kind of expensive. Think about the 8's in Ontario........are they pro's?...no they are not. With this said I could almost guarantee they would get more players over all (between both events) if they let 8's and 9's in the amateur event. Just my opinion..........I am a 7, not looking for things to benefit myself at all but to benefit the game in Canada itself. Another thing is, if you are a 7, play well, get knocked up to an 8.........how do you feel now...........it's like starting all over again at a hefty price........or maybe we should all just go and sit on the bench until they do something at least half logical. This is common sense if you ask me....I'd love to hear their explanation for these rules. Off to the tournament now..........better not play "too" good!
Randy ran one in St Catharine's, only one I heard of.
This is rediculous with the qualifiers, it seems they don't want people to play.
I think people don't have or want to go to qualifyers but would
rather just buy in.Last year the amateurs didn't even fill.Like every year
we all know the field will consist of the same 99% of players like every
year.I think when it comes down to taking time off work,hotel for out of
town guys and overall expenses,players are slowly declining and the event
is taken with less merrit as it used to.Before,the Canadians was known as a major event,now its being looked at as just another tournament with less
gold at the end of the rainbow.
i agree with you Scott.i think i rather play in 404 event where i can play in a cheaper entry and have chance to win the same amount of money as they have in Canadians.I think one of the issue right now is the economic crisis.i would say 90% of the participants here are employed and this is the main reason why number of participants is declining.