No USA Players at 2009 World Games

[PoolGrapevine]

Heard the BCA and WPA dropped the ball on invited to American players for this International Olympic recognized event.
Apparently they did not send the information or invites to the players on time, so USA will have no representation in the men or womens divisions.

Thats really a shame as the event happens only once in 4 years.

The Taiwanese won Gold both times and got 100k bonus from their governments. European associations will get 100,000's if their player wins.
Too bad our American players dont get a shot

 

[skor]

Actually I think it is every 5 years....

I don't get the BCA, they sold their leagues, the BCA-Open is not the BCA-Open anymore, they gave the UPA all the power when it comes to the players, are they sanctioning any billiards events in the USA? .... really all they have left is to manage the American pool on the international level and they can't even do that....

No wonder pool is where it is nowadays... The international pool scene needs a strong BCA (or any other American federation that can actually perform) because a lot of the money in pool comes from American sponsors and they won't stick around without a strong billiards federation.

The world games is the closest thing to the Olympic and it is a shame that the USA which is probably the strongest Olympic and sports entity will not take part.

Just imagine what would have happened if the Dream Team would not allowed to play in the Olympic games because of a bureaucracy error...

 

[PoolGrapevine]

I heard the UPA no longer has any control or rights to men pro tournaments anymore. The BCA is in control of rankings and responsible for sending players invitations,info,etc to international events

 

[Melissa Herndon]

Heard the BCA and WPA dropped the ball on invited to American players for this International Olympic recognized event.
Apparently they did not send the information or invites to the players on time, so USA will have no representation in the men or womens divisions.

Thats really a shame as the event happens only once in 4 years.

The Taiwanese won Gold both times and got 100k bonus from their governments. European associations will get 100,000's if their player wins.
Too bad our American players dont get a shot

I'm not sure where you got this information, but the WPBA were asked last year for the top 2 American ranked players as of a certain date....and we gave them those names. Those players have the information...and my most recent knowledge is that they are planning on attending.

Of course, I am now asking the WPBA office to follow up on your information...but if no American women are entered to play the World Games, this is the first the WPBA has heard of it.

 

[CrisDeLaGarza]

Melissa is right. I interviewed Jeanette Lee at the Derby City and she told me she is one of the players going to the World Games to represent the U.S. so I'm not sure where everyone else is getting their information.

 

[Melissa Herndon]

OK...I just got off the phone with a BCA rep....and the WPBA definitely has 2 representatives in the World Games!

 

[Johnnyt]

Melissa is right. I interviewed Jeanette Lee at the Derby City and she told me she is one of the players going to the World Games to represent the U.S. so I'm not sure where everyone else is getting their information.

would think Monica was the 2nd one. Johnnyt

 

[PoolGrapevine]

OK...I just got off the phone with a BCA rep....and the WPBA definitely has 2 representatives in the World Games!

thats great news that two women are going!
Any word on the men?

Looks like Archer and Van Boening are the top 2, and the next few americans after them all look strong in case they cant go

 

[Melissa Herndon]

thats great news that two women are going!
Any word on the men?

Looks like Archer and Van Boening are the top 2, and the next few americans after them all look strong in case they cant go

Sorry...I'm not really in the loop with the men's side. I do know that men were invited (but I don't know who)...that they declined their spots (but I don't know why)....and so there will not be any American men playing in the World Games.

I wish I knew more...but I don't.

 

[azhousepro]

While the World Games are certainly prestigious, there is no prize money. Male players would have to rely on their sponsors or their own wallets to cover the expense of going to this event and trying to win a medal.

That is asking a lot in this economic client. I can guarantee you that the top male players were given their invites and they said they declined them.

Mike

 

[JAM]

While the World Games are certainly prestigious, there is no prize money. Male players would have to rely on their sponsors or their own wallets to cover the expense of going to this event and trying to win a medal.

That is asking a lot in this economic client. I can guarantee you that the top male players were given their invites and they said they declined them.

Mike

Thanks for setting the record straight with the facts. I always like reading the FACTS much better than assumptions. Bravo to AzBilliards for getting it right!

BTW, we all know which two American male pros would even consider going to an expensive event like this: one veteran who has a stakehorse and a young champ who is sponsored by a deep-pocketed industry member. LOL! :thumbup:

It's always the same two these days. Hey, more power to them if they can get help with the expenses.

 

[memikey]

Heard the BCA and WPA dropped the ball on invited to American players for this International Olympic recognized event.
Apparently they did not send the information or invites to the players on time, so USA will have no representation in the men or womens divisions.

Thats really a shame as the event happens only once in 4 years.

The Taiwanese won Gold both times and got 100k bonus from their governments. European associations will get 100,000's if their player wins.
Too bad our American players dont get a shot

Since the grapevine :smile: hasn't exactly been a reliable source of information on this so far I'm intrigued enough to be prompted to ask which "European Associations" will get hundreds of thousands if their player wins and who will they get it from?

 

[JAM]

Since the grapevine :smile: hasn't exactly been a reliable source of information on this so far I'm intrigued enough to be prompted to ask which "European Associations" will get hundreds of thousands if their player wins and who will they get it from?

LOL! :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1: :rotflmao1:

 

[CrownCityCorey]

While the World Games are certainly prestigious, there is no prize money. Male players would have to rely on their sponsors or their own wallets to cover the expense of going to this event and trying to win a medal.

That is asking a lot in this economic client. I can guarantee you that the top male players were given their invites and they said they declined them.

Mike

Such a small minded perspective, that of the invited players who declined.

Jeanette knows what's up by being certain to attend an event as large as this. I am sure she takes great pride in doing well at the event, but it is also a very wise (continued) investment in her pool career. She makes the right moves.

The males never look beyond the immediate return. Foolish and depressing.

 

[Papa Red]

Shameful

This is why I do not spent money to watch the men's tour. The women players have a lot more passion for the sport without the attitudes and ego's.

Myself being a Viet Nam veteran I just lost a lot more respect for the men professional for passing up the opportunity represent their country and flag. Money is not everything in life, there is a lot of less talented players that would jump at the chance to represent their country and the sport they love. Look at the sacrifice our troop give with the pay they receive, so I don't want to here any excuses for not receiving the sponsor they need to promote the men's tour, they brought it on them selves.

Charlie
Disabled Viet Nam Vet

 

[Da Bank]

This is why I do not spent money to watch the men's tour. The women players have a lot more passion for the sport without the attitudes and ego's.

Myself being a Viet Nam veteran I just lost a lot more respect for the men professional for passing up the opportunity represent their country and flag. Money is not everything in life, there is a lot of less talented players that would jump at the chance to represent their country and the sport they love. Look at the sacrifice our troop give with the pay they receive, so I don't want to here any excuses for not receiving the sponsor they need to promote the men's tour, they brought it on them selves.

Charlie
Disabled Viet Nam Vet

What does this have to do with Vietnam? LOL

 

[azhousepro]

But to be fair, Jeanette has sponsors who can help cover those costs. Which male players have sponsors right now who can do that?

Mike

Such a small minded perspective, that of the invited players who declined.

Jeanette knows what's up by being certain to attend an event as large as this. I am sure she takes great pride in doing well at the event, but it is also a very wise (continued) investment in her pool career. She makes the right moves.

The males never look beyond the immediate return. Foolish and depressing.

 

[CrownCityCorey]

But to be fair, Jeanette has sponsors who can help cover those costs. Which male players have sponsors right now who can do that?

Mike

Shane Van Boening, Johnny Archer, Rodney Morris, Jeremy Jones, and more that would pay their own expenses if I go down the list.

Really that is not the point. With good enough reason, they would all find a way. The narrow mindedness makes a good enough reason impossible to see. The men's side has been plagued by this for many, many years. Not saying it's their fault, just the way it is.

What was the "Player Fund" for?

Honestly, that event (Asian Games) falls exactly in the realm of responsibility of the BCA (IOC to WCBS to WPA to BCA to Poolplayer). Yet again they fu**-off their responsibility to the game! Ja**offs!

Edit: Someone could even have picked-up a phone and found an independent financier/sponsor for the two players.

 

[memikey]

Shane Van Boening, Johnny Archer, Rodney Morris, Jeremy Jones, and more that would pay their own expenses if I go down the list.

Really that is not the point. With good enough reason, they would all find a way. The narrow mindedness makes a good enough reason impossible to see. The men's side has been plagued by this for many, many years. Not saying it's their fault, just the way it is.

What was the "Player Fund" for?

Honestly, that event (Asian Games) falls exactly in the realm of responsibility of the BCA (IOC to WCBS to WPA to BCA to Poolplayer). Yet again they fu**-off their responsibility to the game! Ja**offs!

Edit: Someone could even have picked-up a phone and found an independent financier/sponsor for the two players.

Not sure if it is just an absent minded slip or if you are confused but to clarify, although The Asian Games (last held in Doha,Qatar 2006 and to be next held in China 2010) do now include an extensive range of cue sports, they are something entirely different from The World Games to be next held in 2009 in Taiwan.

Unless you wake up one morning and find that the San Andreas fault has thrown a gigantic wobbler and shifted the USA into Asia the USA would obviously not be invited to send pool players to The Asian Games, but they would be invited to send players to The World Games :smile:

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Not sure if it is just an absent minded slip or if you are confused but to clarify, although The Asian Games (last held in Doha,Qatar 2006 and to be next held in China 2010) do now include an extensive range of cue sports, they are something entirely different from The World Games to be next held in 2009 in Taiwan.

Unless you wake up one morning and find that the San Andreas fault has thrown a gigantic wobbler and shifted the USA into Asia the USA would obviously not be invited to send pool players to The Asian Games, but they would be invited to send players to The World Games :smile:

Certainly could be my misunderstanding; however 1/2 a dozen of one and 6 of the other. No matter - world stage for cuesports.

Anyway, I'll be off my soapbox for a while. This whole subject gets my blood bubbling.