State of the nation

[Slasher]

I know pool has seen an overall decline in Canada and the US over the last few years, I clearly see this by the level of entries in tournaments across WA and BC, we used to get 96 + players in a decent added event now we are lucky to see 64 and only get that when theres two or three thousand added. Blame the economy, video games, computers whatever you like but what bothers me most is the fact that the associations that are supposed to represent our sport are so inert as to be a complete non factor in the sport, most are run and financed by the rooms themselves.

Take our local CBSA/IBSF affiliate for example, they do not have in place any of the following things that I consider essential to governing an amateur sport.

Sponsorship (I don't think they have ever raised one nickel)
Junior Program
Coaching Program
Tournament schedule
News letter
Mailing list
Tournament player roster
Ranking system

Now you tell me how this can be considered a governing body.
It should be mandated to the regional units that without these in place you cannot be sanctioned.
Some of these such as junior programs and coaching are crucial to the survival of this sport in Canada. We are almost beyond the point of no return and the alarm bells are ringing oh so loud. I wish I had the skill sets required to running the association so I could contribute to putting cuesports back on the map in this country but I don't and would not want to do something I would not be any better at than what we already have.

What I can do is keep making a lot of noise and try to rouse the rabble to call for changes and get the right people in place to run this sport.
I call it like I see it and don't mind one way or the other how this comes across but I care about this sport, I'm 53 now and been playing since I was a kid and involved in running clubs and playing in the UK, Canada and the US.
I hate what I see as the state of the cuesport nation and without some strong leadership going forward the sport is doomed.

 

[seether]

Dont Understand

I dont Understand what are you talkin about.There are hundreds goin to Las Vegas every year to a pool tournament.There are big names in pool like John Morra, Shane Van Boening,Earl Strickland.Pool will never die.

 

[Slasher]

Not sure what that has to do with pool in Canada, anyway when was the last time you were at any major tournaments in WA or BC?
Judging by your not understanding it could not have been recently.
I have played in virtually every major event in WA state over the last year and most of the time I was either the only Canuck or one of very few and often it was someone that rode with me.
The "players" have all quit.

 

[seether]

never bin

I have never bin to Washincton or BC fore any big sactiond tournaments.I was in Calgary fore a tournament,I didnt do good at it,I ve got beatin out of it.Sometimes I wish that they keep there bloody double "A" players out of the amature divisions. I dont even have a passport to go to Washincton or Vegas fore pool tournaments.