The VBSA Privacy Policy has been updated and is now available from the Policy & Procedures page.

Dear Members

I hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy Easter and Anzac celebration period amid unusual circumstances and others engaging in Ramadan which commenced on the 23rd April.
  
Upon reflection, our communities have endured a number of challenges in health & well being, financial hardship, job losses, family pressures or even COVID-19.   Even though the virus is still very much a part of our daily existence, so too is the effort we apply to overcoming it and this is evidenced by the flattening of the curve of cases and the wonderful work done by our nursing and medical staff.   My heartfelt thanks to all those people dedicated to the safety of us all.

I also want to recognise the effort put in by the Victorian public who have responded responsibly to isolation and social distancing facilitating the efficiency in defeating the virus much more readily than a large percentage of our global nations who are continuing to suffer long and painfully.

On behalf of the VBSA Board, I wish each and everyone of you peace and happiness along with the hope of a return to our beloved cue sports soon. The VBSA is in constant consultation with the Victorian Government and Sports Recreation Victoria preparing ourselves to be ready and able to re-engage competition the moment we are allowed.   Likewise we are connected with our parent body, the ABSC, through whom we align our discussions and commitment to sustaining our sport working to ensure the procedure is measured and accurate in application.

Cue sports nationally have halted until June 30th although this is open to change should the authorities relax the stages of isolation.   Our Prime Minister has hinted that a return to sport is high on the priorities, but to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 the process of return needs to be of flawless design.
We may face unusual circumstances in our very social game style and this could well affect how and when we return.   The government has nominated their next review date as 11th May 2020.   I ask that we all remain conscientious in protecting ourselves and others in the push to relax restrictions as early as is utterly possible.

In the meantime I recommend some time visiting YouTube to remember the highlights and achievements of some of Victoria’s greats such as Neil Robertson’s win over Judd Trump in the 2019 Champion of Champions that historically went down to the wire in an epic event.

Kind regards

David Chigwidden
VBSA Secretary
26th April 2020

An amendment to ByLaw 18, Tournaments, has been made to address travel expenses to attend Australian Championships.  See Policies & Procedures page to view new version.  This amendment was approved at the last VBSA Board meeting.

Please find attached below a letter with our thanks for our Governors input and care for our constituents from our Patron, Her Excellency, The Honourable Linda Dessau AC and Mr Anthony Howard AM, QC.

All tournaments calendarized to be hosted by the VBSA in the state of Victoria up to and including 30^th June 2020 are hereby cancelled.

The VBSA met today to determine appropriate action in fighting the potential spread of COVID-19 through our cue sport fraternity. It was decided with immediate effect that all pennant play be suspended until further notice and all tournaments be cancelled until 30^th June 2020.

The VBSA board wishes all players and their families good health and well being now and always.

We will continue to update when more is known.

VBSA Board

The following is being passed on by the VBSA Board for the information of all VBSA members and Affiliates.  Further announcements may be made.  

I am writing to provide you with the up to date Victorian Government’s messaging on COVID-19. See attachment.

• Health authorities are continuing to closely monitor the situation following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• Currently there are no known transmissions of the infection in the community in Victoria. All known cases in Victoria are due to travel overseas or through a direct link with a traveller.
• At this point in time our advice around major events/sporting events/creative events and other public gatherings is that they can still go ahead, and people should go about their lives as normal.
• The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website includes the most accurate and up to date information regarding COVID-19. Please refer to this as the key resource.
• It would be timely to review and update your business continuity plans/pandemic plans. Refer to the national health sector policy document on emergency response (Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan For Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)) which takes precedence over any existing agency plans, where there are inconsistencies.
• Where there are mass gatherings of people, the attached advice/messages have been approved by the DHHS and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).
• Should there be specific issues that can’t be answered from the DHHS website material, particularly in the event of COVID-19 cases being identified in Victoria, then you may wish to contact Rob Holland, Director, Office of the Secretary, DJPR on 8392 8031 or rob.holland@djpr.vic.gov.au, for assistance with coordinating a response.

As you know, the situation is dynamic and we will update you as new information comes to hand.

Regards,

Peter Betson

Head | Sport, Recreation & Racing
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions   

The Board and all members of the VBSA, along with the broader cuesports community, extend their deepest sympathies to George Taylor on the passing of his beloved wife and partner in business, Margot, on Saturday 21st November.  Our thoughts are with George, Michael, Kate, Alexandra and their extended families.

George & Margot simply WERE Alcocks, a major sponsor and supporter of all things cuesports in Victoria and Australia over many decades.

Margot's funeral is being held on Friday 27th November at 2:00pm at Allison Monkhouse in Brighton.  Due to COVID restrictions, this will be a private funeral.  However, the service is being live streamed and recorded.  You can watch the live stream by clicking this LINK at the time or watch the recorded service at any time afterwards. 

No flowers by request of family.

The VBSA Board, all Members and Players, are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Denis Coghlan earlier today from pneumonia (not the coronavirus).

Denis has been a magnificent stalwart for our sports, and especially our Juniors, for many years. As the host of National, International and World Billiards Championships, the VBSA has been blessed to have Denis involved, with his unbounded enthusiasm and unstinting support.

Denis has been the first person to make himself available for any Refereeing or Official responsibilities to support the VBSA. As the President, and often Tournament Director, for VBSA Events, I have always been delighted to have Denis attending at Tournaments.

Denis also attended as many events for the Juniors as possible, and his keen eye was able to identify talent, and potential, for all our Australian Juniors.

Camberwell Cuesports (ex-St Mary’s) and Burwood RSL have been extremely fortunate to have Denis acting as “the heart and soul” of both those Clubs. Denis displayed magnificent professionalism in Office Bearer positions for both Clubs, as well as the Over 55's Association, and he will be sorely missed.

All of us who have had Denis in our lives as a fellow Team-Member, Club-Member, Association Supporter, Referee and great Friend, will sorely miss his presence in our lives, and his professionalism, cheerfulness and enthusiastic cooperation.

Paul Cosgriff, VBSA President

Please see attached for news about the North Brighton Club

Chris Christofi is very excited to finally announce the release of his much anticipated book Your Path to Wealth: Brick by Brick which is now live on Amazon. Hold off on purchasing for now as he has an exciting announcement coming tomorrow 9am AEDT on his social medias where the book will be offered at a special price for 3 hours only. All proceeds from the book sales are going to charity.