Linda...I have some experience in this area. I had a young man(11) come into the gameroom at MSU, years ago. He first came with his folks, and they all played together. Nobody really knew how to play, but they were having fun. I noticed that the kid seemed to have some natural ability. His parents (also not in a position to financially support his pool "habit"), asked me if there was any way I might "take him under my wing" and work with him some. I sat him down with his folks, and we talked about it very seriously. The first thing I told him (in front of them), was that respect for your parents, was the MOST important thing to me. Respect for himself, was the next most important thing to me. Basically, if he got GOOD grades (all A's & B's), AND he towed the line with his folks (no arguments, no disrespectful behavior), I would take him, and make him a real poolplayer, for free. I forgot to mention, that I also required him to stay "out of trouble". I worked with him for a few years, and took him to Jr. Nationals twice, and to the BCA Summer Youth Cue Camp (where I taught for three years, with Jerry Briesath, and Mark Wilson). This is where he met a VERY young Sarah Rousey, and they became immediate friends...so much so, that when summer camp was over, he wanted to go visit her, at her home in Bloomington. I spoke with Sarah's folks, and with my young charge's folks, and the visit went well. I continued to work with him, for a couple more years, and he became a pretty skilled player, by the time he was 15, traveling around MT, playing in quite a few tournaments, getting experience and making some $$$ too! Fast forward a couple of years. Unfortunately, he got involved with, and fell under the influence of, the wrong crowd (as happens all too often with young poolplayers), and began to let his grades slip, began disrespecting his parents, and finally, using drugs, and getting into trouble with the law. As a result, I had to let him go, as a student. It made me sad, after investing so much time and effort into helping him to learn to play...but I had no choice.
What does that have to do with this thread? Well, when he wanted to go to the Jr. Nationals, the first time (which were in Vegas those days), we sat down, and organized a plan (to work within the rules), which would provide him an opportunity to go. First, all the rules required, was that someone (which was me) organize a jr. BCA tournament locally. It had to be at a BCA-sanctioned room (we had two in town), and there had to be a minimum of 8 players. The only other requirement was that the winner had to be "guaranteed" the trip to Vegas. He got some of his friends to play, I got my son (who was younger), and some of his friends to play, and I ran a tournament. There was only a $15 entry fee, but all of it went to "fund" the trip to Vegas. Everybody knew that he would win, and it didn't matter...that was the point of putting on the tournament. So basically these other 7 kids 'donated' their $15...had fun playing in an afternoon tournament, at the local poolroom (Montana Fats), got a free t-shirt (plus BCA Jr. Membership kits), and had free pizza and pop, while they played. After winning the tournament, and with $120 in his pocket, we then developed a plan to raise the additional money needed for the trip (I figured he needed about $300...and I was driving him down and back). I helped him draft a letter, which we distributed together, to a bunch of downtown businesses, asking for small donations, to fund his trip to the Jr. Nationals. In return for their donation ($25), their logo would be screened on the back of the shirts we had made for him to wear during the tournament. We also told them that we would include their business, in a article to the local newspaper, about the upcoming event, and a followup, with results, when he returned. We ended up with 10 local "sponsors", and the whole thing worked out very well (this is back when the Bowman kids were also young, and playing in the under 14 division for the first time). This is certainly something that is doable, and something you could 'spearhead' in your area (or his), for the benefit of the young man...giving him the opportunity to "win" his way to the Jr. Nationals.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I was at a tournament this weekend and a 14 year old kid came down from Portland and showed amazing skills. This kid has everything it takes to become a champion except competition and seasoning.
I have seen a lot of kids that showed promise, but this one is good to go now! He has an amazing stroke and only lost to 2 veterans, Mike Zimmerman and Jesse Allred. He plays smart, plays lock-up safes and plays great patterns. He ran out from everywhere. And he has only been playing 2 years! I think it is not over-reaching to say he is another Shane Van Boening in the making.
He is over 6'3" already and thin as a rail and is very grateful and humble. His sister drove him the 4 hours to get to the tournament and she just lost her job and her parents really aren't in any position to help.
I have offered our place to stay anytime they want to come down again, but I was wondering how to get him into junior competition. Our area does not have anything. This kid could win nationals, I'm telling you, he is that good.
Thanks in advance for any information - I will give rep for anything helpful.
