The VBSA is the State Sporting Association (SSA) for Billiards and Snooker in Victoria. The State Government requires that all SSA's have a Quota of 40% Women on their Board. This requirement became effective on 1st July 2019.

After discussions with the State Government, we provided an undertaking to have our Rules (Constitution) amended at this year’s AGM, to come into line with their requirements.

A notice of Special Resolution was posted to the VBSA website 21 days ahead of the AGM allowing all members to view it in a public domain prior to casting their vote.   A vote was held passing the Special Resolution almost unanimously with only one voter abstaining.  The revised Rules can be viewed here http://www.vbsa.org.au/VBSA/vbsa_pol_proc.php

Prior to the 2019 AGM, we have targeted a number of women to join our Board adding appropriate qualifications and talent to enhance the performance of our Board.  Voters successfully installed four women to the Board.

The VBSA Board for 2019 consists of the following members:
Mr Paul Cosgriff             President
Dr Shelly Ames              Vice President
Mrs Sue Chigwidden      Treasurer
Mr David Chigwidden     Secretary
Ms Kathy Howden          Board Member
Ms Kim Ivett                   Board Member
Mr Manny Stefanou        Board Member

Assistants to the Board:
Mr Larry Eforgan              Director of Referees
Mr Mark Dunn                  Score Registrar
Mr Alec Spyrou                 Tournament Convener/Webmaster

There are a number of other willing participants:
Simon Fortune                  Pennant Fixturing
Kane Chigwidden              Assistant to the Board
David Pitt                           City Clubs delegate and game historian
Jason Colebrook               Billiards tournaments
Tony Fridman                    Junior Development
Rohan Liston                     I.T. 

The Board would like to thank the outgoing members of the last Board for their dedication and hard work throughout their time on the Board and all contributions made over their time involved.

Kind regards

David Chigwidden
Secretary

The below apology by Chris Christofi is copied here at the request of Chris.

It has been brought to my attention that I did not sufficiently acknowledge the efforts and hard work that the Commercial Club Albury put into the International Snooker Championship.

I would like to sincerely apologise to all those involved that helped to make the event the great success that it is. My lack of acknowledgement was nothing more than an oversight which I was embarrassed about and I sincerely hope you accept my apology.

I want to deeply thank you all for supporting the sport and again on behalf of Reventon and myself, sincerely apologise for not crediting those that deserved the acknowledgement.

This was the richest amateur event in Australia’s history and this would not have been possible without you.

Chris Christofi.

The draw is out, see attached

Premier event, best Australian players, competing for the coveted Australian Championship at the prestigous RACV city Club

Double Ranking points event

Prize money $12,500

Winner $3,400

Runner Up $1,700

Semi finals $850

Quarter Finals $480

Last 16 $240

Highest Break Prize

100 or over $250

Australian National $500

(Beat the Australian National highest break of 143)

147 Break $1,000

THE DRAW IS NOW OUT (SEE ATTACHED BELOW)

Venue: Yarraville Club, Reventon Academy

Dates: August 16th - August 18th depending on entries

• The order of play will see the playing of the top half of the draw "roll on, roll off" to the stage of Last 8 before commencing the bottom half. This will prevent lengthy waits between matches and get matches through a lot more smoothly.
• Also we will be experimenting with an exciting new 60 second 15 Red Line-Up challenge. So get the stop watch out and get practicing!!
• Thirdly (and most importantly), entries "will only be accepted" through the VBSA SHOP, correct submission of the entry form, or cash to either VBSA Tournament Convenor ALEC SPYROU or Tournament Director GEORGE SPITERI before the closing date of Sunday August 11.

The WBPSA has now made available the new edition of the rules which will come into force on 15th August 2019.

The rules for Snooker are attached as a PDF in which all the changes have been highlighted.

Additions to the rules are highlighted in GREEN. Word or number changes are highlighted in BLUE. Rules that have been changed in RED. Deletions are indicated in BROWN. Rules that have been moved are in PURPLE.

The main change that will have any implication is Section 3 Rule 14 which has been changed to allow a 'Miss' to be called when a frame can be tied, as opposed to this not being allowed previously. 

Billiards rule changes will be posted at the earliest opportunity.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association announces the launch of a new version of the Official Rules of Snooker and English Billiards.

Refer VBSA website Help Page for details.

Under 12, Under 15 & Under 18 Snooker & Billiards

Venue - Reventon Academy, Yarraville.

Starts - Sat 5th October.

Entry fee - $10.00.  Allows play in all age groups, both Snooker & Billiards.

To qualify as junior entrant must be under age group at 1st January 2020.

Entry form attached below.

Tournament Director - Tony Fridman 0414 534 575. ABSC accredited coach

The VBSA ByLaws have been updated to clarify and simplify the playing conditions for Pennant competition.

It is strongly recommended that ALL team captains familiarise themselves with these ByLaws.

Click this LINK to be taken to the Policies & Procedures page where you can view the updated ByLaws.

Thanks to all involved in reviweing the document.

Congratulations to Kathy Howden on winning the 2019 Victorian Women’s Snooker Championship. Kathy fought it out in the grand final with Caroline Ruscitti and came out on top winning 3-2 in a very close battle. In the semi finals Caroline defeated Anna Lynch who in a terrific effort has now been in the finals for 5 consecutive years. Kathy defeated Lyndal Ellement in the other semi. It was great to see Lyndal back in the finals after just missing out the last couple of years. Unfortunately numbers were down this year, but we did have two newcomers with Kat Newman making a snooker comeback and her daughter Mia also entering the championship for the first time. Mia is just 11 years old and showed some impressive potting skills. Our other junior, Maddy Melton, showed tremendous improvement on last year’s performance winning frames against both Caroline and Theresa Whitten, as well as finishing third in her group. Well done to all the women and girls who participated in this year’s competition and we hope to see all of you again next year. I would also like to thank everyone who helped in running the event: Jon Loughron (Tournament Director) whose preparation and organisation ensured everything ran smoothly. Abe Newman (Roving referee for round robin stages). John & Kim Ivett (Finals referees). Report courtesy of Shelly Ames.