Joshua Hands reigns supreme as Pockets Junior Championship #2 victor in an enthralling match against New Zealand's Blake Burnard. Josh showed composure beyond his years to overcome an ever-improving Blake Burnard in a final that showcased two of Oceania's emerging stars.
The Queenslander, driven by his win in Championship 2 qualified top of the group after the round robin on Saturday. Blake was one step behind him qualifying 2nd. Josh's path to the final saw him overcome Ciaran Dempsey (younger brother of Pro Series player, Sean Dempsey) and Queensland’s Kevin Fretwell. Blake had a win against Lucas Fenech before he managed to turn the tables on Joseph Evans, who eliminated him in Championship 1.
Joshua's feat of back-to-back Junior Championship wins matches Sean Dempsey in the 2022 Junior Series, who was awarded a Wild Card into the 2023 Pro Series following this achievement. No doubt Josh will be on the Pockets Sports team radar for 2024 having replicated Sean's feat.
The 3rd and final Junior Championship and Junior Workshop run by our Pro Series players is on the 24th and 25th of June with entries open to all Juniors.
Women’s Series Championship 1 winner and fan favourite Isabella Di Giorgio won’t be taking her place this weekend in Championship 2 due to an unexpected hand injury.
“I’m getting a nerve test done next week. Gotta stay rested and splinted all day long to ease the pressure.”
Bella, who put on an unbelievable display of skill and control, overcame fellow Victorian Kolbe Poole in the final of Championship 1. Jay Windross was contacted ahead of Championship 2 regarding the injury:
“She is one of the most exciting pool players to watch in the Women’s Series and I’m absolutely devastated for her. I know how much she wants to be a part of this series.”
As upsetting as the news is to many, Bella remains optimistic and undeterred by her setback:
“I’ll be better in no time! So disappointed I can’t defend my title but I’ll be back a lot stronger for the next one.”
Despite her injury Bella will still be in attendance this weekend to support the other participants and cheer on her fellow competitors.
DiGiorgio is a fierce competitor who took the titles of AUS Ladies Singles Champion, AUS Teams Champion, Doubles Champion (with Julie Watson) and Player of the Carnival at the ’22 Nationals in November at Albury’s Commercial Club.
From the team at Pockets Sports, we wish Bella a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her taking to the grey baize again in Championship 3!
In a major boost to the sustainability of the Pockets concept, Pockets Sports is very excited to announce that they have secured a Major Sponsor and a new Naming Rights partner for season 2023.
TopSport is one of Australia's few wholly Australian-owned corporate bookmakers. A father and son team with a combined 50 years of experience. They began servicing Australian punters online in the early 2000s, and have now evolved into one of Australia's leading digital platforms.
We Aussies definitely love a punt and having an available betting market for Australasian pool events has been a long time coming for the pool freaks of this world.
It’s a battle of wits between bookie and punter, where all comers are welcome and every punter has a genuine opportunity to take home the spoils. At TopSport they do not exclude winning punters and offer the fairest limits in the land; a policy which has been widely embraced.
TopSport has become synonymous with bringing on new sports to the gambling public. When TopSport's directors (father and son duo Lloyd and Tristan Merlehan) heard about Pockets, the possibilities of the Australian pool fraternity being able to have a punt on high stakes matches got them thinking.
The partnership was born…. and it seems the Australasian punters got onboard with the idea.
Pockets Sports and TopSport are delighted to have reached this major sponsorship agreement; achieved within a year of initiating Pockets Championship Pool betting.
Always looking for new markets and betting options, TopSport are set to create all sorts of new markets for the 2023 calendar of events. These will include the following ‘naming rights’ events.
* TopSport Pockets Pro Series
* TopSport Pockets Challenger Series
* TopSport Pockets Womens Series
* TopSport Pockets Champ of Champs
TopSport will also be the exclusive wagering partner in 2023 for all Pockets events.
TopSport members enjoy a premium wagering service with a vast array of wagering products and events, coupled with an unparalleled customer service. So, head over to TopSport.com.au (or download the app) and set up an account, then get ready to place your bets.
AND PLEASE; always remember to gamble responsibly.
Pockets Sports would like to congratulate Temujin Dixon on his inclusion to the Pockets Pro Series 2023 roster. Temujin was part of the Pockets Challenger Event and will be a great asset to the series and a true contender for the crown.
Tem has no doubt always been on the Pockets Pro Series shortlist but the Challenger favourite fell short in October which ruled him out of a qualifying spot for the 2023 Series. Now with a Wildcard entry Temujin will join the roster along with 30 other players to compete at the biggest stage yet on Australia’s professional scene. Our final Wildcard will be announced in the coming days. Stay Tuned!
The New Plymouth Kiwi born 26-year-old will be making an appearance at next years Pockets Pro Series after a spectacular performance at last weekends Australia v New Zealand Clash.
Healey WoW’D selectors with his exciting style of play and cue action. The renowned New Zealand cross code star who comes from a Snooker, 9 Ball & 8 Ball background has a unique gift that he will bring to the Pro Series and with this gift comes great responsibility to represent New Zealand.
We caught up with Healey and asked him about his inclusion into the series “I am excited about my inclusion into the series because Its everything I’ve worked for, the hours I’ve put into this game and I’m so grateful to see something come out of it! The pro series is like a dream come true and I can’t wait to be in the arena playing against other highly competitive players. I also hope to inspire more New Zealanders to make the roster one day”
Healey White is player number 31 for the 32-player field at next year’s Pockets Pro Series.
The team at Pockets are always thinking about what they can do to help grow the sport. Growth is good for business, and business is good for growth, but commercial grade broadcasting doesn’t come cheap - although with some early runs on the board, Pockets have a good hand to take to mainstream media.
More on that later.
OK, what has this got to do with the juniors? Well, any growth strategy must attempt to build junior level participation…… and Pockets wants to help foster this.
Next year the three Pockets Junior Series events (25th/26th February, 29th/30th April & 24th/25th June), will be as always, high quality productions. Mimicking the Pro Series setting, as we did in 2022.
Creating pathways for juniors to enter events that replicate the big time is one thing; but these opportunities come at some expense to parents. Providing value from this exposure for the child (and the parents) is always the biggest challenge.
Pockets have decided to add some incentive to the juniors who are going to be participating in the series. So, no matter what the child’s ability or age, they will get something extra special out of their weekend.
The team at Pockets have arranged an exciting bonus for the Sundays of each Championship.
We will have a group of our Pockets Pro Series Professionals coming down to run an Interactive Workshop for all of the Juniors, on the Sundays.
We want these weekends to be an invaluable experience. Not only will the kids get to play where the Pro’s are playing, in conditions that you would only be exposed to at a Nationals, or World Championships - your child gets a workshop and coaching from some of Australia's best players.
A reminder that although there are three events in the series, it is not a requirement to enter all three events. The experience of attending just one of these Championships will live long in the memory of any budding superstar, no matter their individual result.
If a junior is interested in joining the Junior Series please email info@pockets.com.au or reach out to Chris Jeffery Pockets Junior Development Manager
James Delahunty takes a year off pool and will miss the 2023 Pockets Pro Series, this years Pro Series 3rd place getter James Delahunty is set to spend next year on the sidelines. SA’s favourite son, who amassed $17,250 in the inaugural Pockets Pro Series said “I need some time away from pool to enjoy my, work, studies, and family. For this reason I will have to sadly withdraw my entry from the 2023 Series”
The Hitman’s commitment to excellence provided us with plenty of viewing entertainment during Year 1.
This surprise announcement from James has opened another spot for the 2023 series. There are a number of high-class players all over the country that are ready to swoop on any vacancy. Who will get the call up? Well, whoever is chosen has big boots to fill.
Pockets would like to thank James for his commitment, and we all look forward to seeing him back again in 2024 (hopefully). Pockets Director, Arthur Titus said “He is part of the first 8, the first 8 that believed in my project, the first 8 that invested their time and money into this project, the first 8 that risked more than they ever have in this industry, the first 8 that made a difference, and the first 8 that helped shape Pockets Sports to where it is today, for that I am truly grateful. I wish Dela and his family all the best during this time away from the bright lights and rigour of next level pool.”
ANNOUNCES HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR
2024/25 DATES REVEALED FOR AUSTRALIA, NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND
AU PRESALE STARTS MAY 1 & GENERAL...
