Cold!!!

I think....
I've either got a cold or the flu... Feel absolutely s***...
Not done much except for the necessary updating of the GB9 database and sending/chasing invoices...

Just wanted to wish everybody a great time over the holidays and hopefully a fantastic new year!!!

Got some time later in the week to write more..

Love you all if I don't see you till next year.
Be careful with the fireworks.. Want you to keep all your fingers for playing pool..

XXX

Woooohoooo GO EUROPE!!!

WOW!!!

Still in Malta, flying back tomorrow evening.. Updates, photo's and video's will come when I'm all settled back in the UK!!!

Alex' speech

Press conference:

part 1



part 2



part 3

Mosconi Cup 2008

Just came back from the press conference...
Just uploading the video's as I type...
The Hilton is fantastic, the surroundings are beautiful!
I'm looking forward to watching the Mosconi Cup.

Who's going to win?
Off course I hope that Europe will win but America is always dangerous as a team.
I'm just going to enjoy it, I'll take loads of pictures and video's...

More coming soon!!!

X

Eurotour Malaga

Flying tomorrow morning at 7.45!!!
Looking forward to seeing everybody again.
There's loads going from the UK so should be fun...
Bringing the laptop with me to do some GB9 stuff..
But looking forward to the evenings when we can go for food and drinks with the group!
Fly back to Manchester on the Monday.. And on Tuesday: Fly to Malta!
Mosconi Cup here we come!!!

Players reception is going to be good I hope.
Hilton hotel looks nice, so should be a good week in Malta...

Have to finish packing and see you all soon!

Love,

Shir

Cuesport TV and GB9

Sorry not in the mood to write loads...
So busy with preparations for the new season.
And am trying to get most of it done before I'm flying to Spain for the Eurotour and to Malta for the Mosconi Cup...

So for now:

Press release:

CueSport TV to Broadcast British Professional 9-ball Pool in 2009

CueSport TV continue their involvement with the Great Britain 9-ball Pool tour into 2009.

CueSport TV Logo 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 29, 2008 – CueSport TV, the Internet Pool & Snooker Channel, have today announced that the company will be once again offering recorded broadcasts of all of the GB 9 Ball Tour events in 2009.

The coverage provided by CueSport TV in 2008 was unprecedented for a national 9-ball pool tour with 9-ball pool videos being available in the main schedule and on-demand. Throughout the course of the 2008 season viewers were able to watch 9-ball pool matches featuring a host of professional pool players including Darren Appleton, Daryl Peach, Tony Drago, Imran Majid, Karl Boyes, Raj Hundal and Pat Holtz, the majority of which are returning for the 2009 season.

Managing Director of CueSport TV Ltd, Pete Williams had this to say, “The GB 9 Ball Tour, through the hard work and dedication of Lee Rigby and Shirley Ang, has become a recognised tour throughout the world due to the quality of the organisation, the star players on offer and the coverage that my company has been able to offer. 2008 saw us serve video to 11,000 unique viewers per month from 110 different countries. It made massive sense for us to continue to cover the GB 9 Ball Tour for 2009 and drive both the tour and it’s standing within the International pool community forward. Especially due to the fact that the tour and the UK have two reigning World Pool Champions in Daryl Peach and Darren Appleton.”

Changes to the coverage will occur in 2009 with CueSport TV planning on providing multiple camera coverage of the main match table and live 9-ball pool action through the live function of the channel player.

The first tournament of the 2009 season, The Midlands Classic, takes place over the weekend of the 9th-11th January at Rileys, Solihull. Viewers can watch 9-ball pool matches from this tournament during the course of the following week.

GB9 Qualifier Solihull

Sorry people...

Been really busy with admin stuff for GB9's next season.
Loads to do to get ready for the official professional 9 Ball Tour in the UK!!!

Have got Wednesday off so should have some time to write a bit..

See you soon!

X

Mosconi Cup

Well done to Niels and Mika for getting those last 2 spots.
And Congrats to Mika again for winning the US Open!
Have already told you this but am really happy for ya!

Am looking forward to going to Malta...

Unlucky Daz, you deserved to be in there, but I believe it must have been a really difficult choice for Matchroom this year as the Europeans have had a great year.
You'll get there next year! Love ya!

Here's the press release:

Press Release

29^th October 2008

2008 PartyCasino.com MOSCONI CUP

Feijen & Immonen Make up Team Europe

Matchroom Sport are pleased to announce that Finland’s Mika Immonen and Niels Feijen (Holland) are the final two players to make up the European team for this year’s 15^th annual Mosconi Cup which takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Portomaso, St Julians, Malta from December 11 – 14.

Immonen, 35, became only the second ever European player to win the prestigious US Open at the weekend when he dispatched 2006 World Pool Champion Ronnie Alcano of the Philippines 13-7 in the final.

The American-based Finn was a member of the successful European Mosconi Cup side in 2002 and will be desperate to make amends for 2006 when he was two balls away from winning the Mosconi Cup for Europe.

“It's amazing to be back in the team again. It was one of the driving forces that kept me fighting for the US Open title,” he said.

“I said to my friends before the Open that I am going to win this one and earn my spot back on the Mosconi Cup team. It's the only way and it's the right way. I simply had to show why I think I should be on that team.

Immonen who will be making his 12^th Mosconi Cup appearance and has recorded 27 wins from 55 matches added, “I am looking forward to it all and I will fight just as hard on the team so we can retain the title.”

For Feijen, the 31 year-old from The Hague, it has been a culmination of a highly successful year that saw him claim the WPA World Straight Pool Championship in August.

“It’s been a great year for me and I think I deserve to be in the team again. Of the five major events out there, I’ve finished in the top three in three of them including being runner up at the Qatar International Open and third place at the recent World Ten Ball Championship.

Feijen was one of the back bones of the European side that won so well in Las Vegas last year and overall, sports a 10 wins from 17 starts record in the event.

Immonen and Feijen now join Germany’s Ralf Souquet, Tony Drago (Malta) and Mark Gray of England to make up what looks to be one of the strongest European teams in recent years.

Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, “It was always going to be a very tough decision and someone was going to be disappointed but that is a testament to the current strength in depth of European pool.

“Mika and Niels have played in a total of 15 Mosconi Cups between them and have both experienced victory in the event so they know all about what is required.

“Their achievements this year have been exceptional and I am sure they will be as keen as anyone to be a member of the first European team to successfully defend the Mosconi Cup.”

The final two players for the American team will be announced on Friday 31^st October.

This year will see the 15^th running of pool’s answer to the Ryder Cup and the current score stands at 10 ½ - 3 ½ to the Americans.

The official sponsors of the 2008 Mosconi Cup are PartyCasino.com, Brunswick Tables, Simonis Cloth, Super Aramith Pro Balls and Predator Cues.

A range of superb value hotel and ticket packages are available from the Official Mosconi Cup Travel Agents www.alleventsmalta.com

For tickets only please go to www.maltacup.org

US open

Just want to wish the guys good luck today!

Winners round:
Chris Melling vs Niels Feijen
Daryl Peach vs Markus Juva/Kenchi Uchigaki
Darren Appleton vs Ismael Paez
Imran Majid vs Fransisco Bustamante
Scott Higgins vs Thorsten Hohmann
Raj Hundal vs Tommy Tokoph

One loss round:
Andy Nicholson vs James Davis
Stephen Folan vs Jui-Lung Chen
Lee Chenman vs N. Al-Mujaibel
Tony Crosby vs J. Rodriguez
Carl Fitzsimon vs A. Al-Marayati
And Phil Burford against the winner of Andy vs James

Funny...

Wasn't in a great mood when I got home from work but got an email with a funny youtube video...

This made me laugh out loud, so enjoy!

SURPRISE!!!

YES!! We pulled it off...
Full of a cold so don't feel like writing loads of stuff but I've got some videos of the party to entertain you...
Sorry it might not be of the greatest quality but used my cheap little camera I can take along with me everywhere...
Have fun!

THE FIRST EVER WORLD 10 BALL CHAMPION

DARREN APPLETON

I'm so proud of you. You deserve this!
Mosconi Cup here we come!
Really hope you'll get that spot in it!

Do you realise that all the current world champions are from Europe?
8: Ralf Souquet
9: Daryl Peach
10: Darren Appleton
14.1: Niels Feijen

Darren Appleton

WOW

Yep
He's in the final after beating Charlie Williams and Niels Feijen...
Well done!

I'm knackered today, got up at 5 to stare at the live score board. Back to bed at half past 7 and up again at 10 to watch the semi! Unfortunately I had to go to work at 1 so Lee was so nice to keep me updated!
All the customers in Rileys thought I had gone nuts when I was pacing around and staring at my phone... But they're all really chuffed for Daz!

Come on, you can do it!
You deserve it!

See you at 8 in the morning UK time!


XXXX

World Ten Ball + some more of the past few months

Wooooooooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooo

GO DAZ!!!!
Quarter finals!
You've worked hard for this so I am REALLY chuffed for ya...
Really want you to win this one!

Just want to say Well done to Mark Gray for getting to the last 16, Daryl Peach for getting to the last 32 where he got knocked out by Mark, Imran Majid unfortunately losing to Ralf in the last 64...

4 Europeans left in the last 8!!! Yes this is a good sign for the Mosconi Cup! Nick and Niels are playing each other again like they did in the world 14.1. Who's going to win it this time?
Good luck guys tomorrow.

Am working this week by the way... My lovely boss George came to the rescue and gave me some shifts....
Love you!
LOL

GB9
This was our first season ever and it was great! Might sound cocky saying it but it really was!
We've had our ups and downs but we have survived...
For me personally the hardest weekend was the one we had in Wealdstone. On the Friday I got a phone call from my mom telling me my grandma died... I tried to continue running the tournament as normal but I struggled to be honest... Add the fact that there was somebody screaming at me as he claimed I always gave him the bad tables and that was me done for the weekend. Thanks to Lee the tournament still continued.

Imran had a great season on GB9.
He won 4 Main events and 1 Pro event...
He is my player of the year!
Well done Jim!!!
Nobody in history I think will ever be able to be beat his record of winning 29 matches in a row in the main event of the GB9 Ball Tour.

The winners:
Event 1:
Main Imran Majid
Pro Imran Majid
Challenge Thomas Ainsworth-Smith
Event 2:
Main Imran Majid
Pro Tony Drago
Challenge Thomas Ainsworth-Smith
Event 3:
Main Imran Majid
Pro Darren Appleton
Challenge David Walsh
Event 4:
Main Imran Majid
Pro Daryl Peach
Challenge Christopher Robson
Event 5:
Main Darren Appleton
Pro Jayson Shaw
Challenge Christopher Robson
Event 6:
Main Mark Gray
Pro Darren Appleton
Challenge Jason Howard

OK enough for today...
More next time!

PS COME ON DAZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GB9 Staff Chat at end of Season 1

With thanks to BIG DAVE of Pro9.co.uk

A week off...

Yeah you heard it right...
Got a whole week off because my work screwed up a bit...
Was planning on going to Germany on the 3rd to visit Ste and Tanja during the Oktoberfest but decided to save my money for Malaga and Malta in December...
Did tell work I didn't need the holiday anymore but they forgot I think...
So now I've got a whole week where I haven't got anything planned...
WEIRD!!!

So just updated the calendar and links part on here... Yes I'm getting there..
For the rest...
Got so much to tell you but too much to type...

The past few months for me have been up and down...
Learned that some people will never ever been worthy of my friendship or trust.
Learned some people will sometimes really be as bad as you've been warned for...
Learned that some people will always be there for you even if you don't see or speak to them that often.
Learned loads, I now know who I can always trust and that's myself!

Going to get some food cooking and speak to you guys and gals tomorrow!

XXX

Draft ready

Almost finished with my post but just need to take my time to read it over before I can publish it...
Patience...

Love,

Shir

Update

Hi ya...

Just a quick post before I'm off to work..
I know it has been ages but tomorrow is my day off so I've decided to put in a computer day..
Going to try to update everything and do some admin work...

Check back again tomorrow... But not too early, going to have a sleep in...

XXX

New Baby!!!

Just wanted to congratulate Nick and Vanessa with their beautiful baby...
Mr and Mrs van den Berg and Nikky Sky (that's his name I think)...
I'll just call him Nick Jr for now until I can confirm this with Nick....

Hope to see him soon!
Enjoy this wonderful time!

Korlea Zagreb Open

Yes I arrived this afternoon...
Typing on a foreign keyboard so i can not find all the thingies that I need to type correctly.. sorry!!!

Ground Zero is one of the best clubs I have ever been to!!!
Looking forward to this tournament....
It looks like we are going to have about 84 players.

Updates will follow tonight once i have done the draw..

By the way.. Remember when I told you that I had a shot on the 8 in english pool last week?
I potted it yesterday..
Yes you are now reading the blog of a person that has won her first ever english pool match!!!

OK going back downstairs now to socialize.. Talk to ya later!

Reds and Yellows...

As most of you know: I've always played American Pool...
I don't get the Reds and yellows game..
Too many different rules dependant on which night/pub/country/opponent you play...
But..
I've been asked to go on the reserve list for the pool team for Rileys Barnsley for the Wednesday night league...
I said yes: it's my own fault! I know...
Had to play a match about 3 weeks ago for the first time..
Don't forget: I never play english pool... I even hardly play American anymore due to the lack of time!
Lost against apparently the best player in their team (The Great Dane in shafton)
Did manage to pot 4 balls!!

Yesterday I had to play again... And they put me on last!!
And off course: my luck: 3 all...
My game was the decider!
To make a long story a bit shorter...
I had a shot on the 8 while the opponent had 5 balls left, couldn't pot it anywhere so tried for an impossible bank.. Missed it and he cleared the table..
SO I LOST AGAIN..
But i don't mind.. Was really chuffed I had a shot on the black...
Not bad for a girl that doesn't even know the rules!!

Next week I'm off to Croatia for the Korlea Zagreb Open!
Gonna enjoy the rest of my day off and see ya soon...

PS Don't know if i mentioned it before? I've got a Blackberry now and I love it!!!!
Just found some software to use MSN Messenger on it!! Facebook has been on there for a while!
I LOVE IT!! O don't ever want to go back to a normal phone...

See ya soon!

Love

Shir

Carl Morris

Just a short message...

Carl Morris..
I've posted about him before..
He's a dear friend of mine who's on the North Pole at the moment for charity..

check this website:
Polarchallenge
or click on this link to give money in a safe and secure way....

PLEASE HELP!

KORLEA ZAGREB OPEN

KORLEA ZAGREB OPEN!!!!
2nd-4th of May

Yes I'm sooooo looking forward to this!!!
Am a bit nervous as I can't speak the language but I should be OK... Last time I was there it went fine... Just a shame Ana is not gonna be there during the tournament...
So: I need some familiar faces to be there!
Karl, Darren, Nick, Niels anybody?!?!?

Hope to see you there!

PS my report of the GB9 Southern Masters coming soon! Need to mentally prepare for the doctor's needle first for tomorrow!

IPT Viewers Choice Challenge Match Online Voting

Just to help some friends....

Yes Gwapo and Dyno!!!

Viewers Choice Challenge Match Online Voting

Welcome to the IPT Ultimate 8-Ball Series! For the first time in pool history, you, the fan will have total control over which two players compete against each other in the next match set to take place April 29th, 2008. There are hundreds of the best players from over 30 countries to choose from, so choose your player(s) well. You must be at least a Basic Member of the Internationalpooltour.com web site, which is absolutely free. Registration, if you have not done so already, is fast and simple.

Voting is open to Basic & Premium Members. Basic Members are allowed one vote per day until the voting closes on April 8th, 2008, at midnight (central). On April 9th, the two players with the most votes will be announced, and they will be the players to match up on April 29th. Depending on what kind of match-up you want to see, you need to think about how to vote. For example, if you don’t care who your favorite player will play as long as he or she gets in, you should use all of your votes for one player. If you want a specific match-up between two players, you should stagger your votes between the players of your choice. For your choosing convenience, you can use the filter controls below to see players based on country, gender, professional vs. qualifier status, and Hall of Fame designation. After filtering the list, each column heading can be clicked to sort the list.

You can vote every day and you are encouraged to do so if you would like a say in who plays next. Basic Members are entitled to one vote per day. Premium Members are entitled to ten votes per day.

Click here to vote!!!

Hi ya...

Hi guys...

I know.. I'm a naughty girl!
Sorry!! A bit stressed out with work, pool and loads of other stuff...

Starting fresh ok???

What's happening in the poolworld?
To be honest..
I've not really followed it much lately..
All I can tell you about are the things I've involved with...

GB9BT:
Next event is coming up in a bit more than a week...
Open tournaments:
- Set a date for the next Barnsley tournament but not done much regarding the tournament itself yet..
- Cornela Zagreb Open - date has been re-scheduled as it was clashing with the World 8 ball Championships... Now set for the 1st of May..
Details of that tournament is being worked at the moment.. Hopefully I'll finalize most details tomorrow...

What else?
- I've got a few days off.. Back at work on Sunday.. So I'm gonna try to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet... (Take a nice hot bad is first on my priority list)
- I've got a new Blackberry... Still trying to figure it out...
- Booked my driving test.. (Don't laugh!)
Booked it online for the 24st of April.. Very enthusiastically I wanted to put it in my calendar until I found out I was supposed to be in Croatia then.. So went straight back on and re-scheduled it for the 1st of May... And now I need to re-schedule it again as the tournament in Croatia is gonna be then.. Pfff the admin people for DVLA are probably gonna think I've gone nuts...

Can't remember at the moment what else I can tell you...
Hopefully more soon!

Love

Shir

GB9 Midlands Classic

GB 9 Ball Tour Stop 1 - 2008
GB9 Midlands Classic
Rileys American Pool and Snooker - Solihull
West Midlands

Fri/Sat/Sun 1-3 February 2008


GB9 Midlands Classic – One Long Weekend - Three Ranking Tournaments

This was the inaugural event of Britains new official 9 ball tour, actually three tournaments in one long weekend with a prize fund totalling over GBP11,000 (US22000 or EUR160000) at each event – the Main Event (consisting of all 128 tour players), the Challenge Cup (for the 96 players aiming for promotion to the Pro Cup next year), and the Pro Cup (the elite top 32 UK professionals). The event was held in the beautiful Rileys Pool & Snooker Club at Solihull in the heart of England.


Majid wins first GB9 Pro Cup AND GB9 Main Tournament at Midlands Classic

This was a very successful and profitable weekend for Londoner Imran Majid as he eventually scooped up both of the winner's trophies for the two events he entered, along with the winner's cheques too.

A small hours win over Phil Burford in the final of GB9 Pro Cup event gave “The Maharajah” his first trophy, and although the match was fairly one-sided (11-4 to Majid) many tributes have been made of Burford’s heroic route to the final, conquering 2007 World Pool Champion Daryl Peach with a 9-6 result in the Quarter-Final stage, followed by a 9-7 Semi-Final win over the man who took 3rd place at the same World Championships, Karl Boyes. An incredible feat for anyone – but an even greater achievement when you consider that Phil Burford is only 17 years old!

Majid then proceeded to win the gruelling 128 man Main Event with a nail-biting 11-10 win over fellow EuroTour champion and current EuroTour No.1 ranked player Mark Gray, a former world ranked (No.71) snooker player. The pressure can be immense in these “hill-hill” final racks and it’s thrilling for the audience, but afterwards Majid said he was quietly confident as he has a good record against Gray in head-to-head matches.

This was the trophy that made Majid most proud, as this was achieved after a tough day on Saturday and was the larger event with a very high-quality field. Along with the UK's new World Champion Daryl Peach, were Euro Tour champions, and several Mosconi Cup players as well as several UK stars from the English Pool game.


Ainsworth-Smith shows strength of young UK talent

Re-emphasising the strength-in-depth of the young 9 ball talent in the UK, 18 year old Thomas Ainsworth-Smith won the final of the 96 player Challenge Cup with a gallant win over the more experienced Bradley Parker from Surrey.

As the score approached 10-10 and it was clear the match would be decided by a single rack the pressure mounted and the errors started flowing, showing how much this tournament meant to the players.

In the final rack, Parker had a clear cut chance to seal the victory with a fairly straight forward run-out, but an unforced error on his behalf gifted the match and the title to Ainsworth-Smith who held his nerve to clear the remaining balls.

Full details of all match results and final standings from all 3 events are available on the tour’s official website: www.gb9balltour.com


GB9 Ball Tour sponsorship opportunities

The GB9 Ball Tour has an attractive package for potential sponsors and is actively seeking a single “GOLD” title sponsor, as well as more silver sponsors as listed below. For details of sponsorship opportunities contact Mr. Lee Rigby by email at lee.rigby@gb9balltour.com

The GB9 Ball Tour (www.gb9balltour.com) is sponsored by:

Rileys - American Pool Snooker and Poker clubs, www.rileysltd.com
The Pro Shop - American Pool Cues and Equipment, www.theproshop.biz
Z9 Billiard Cloth - Quality billiard cloth by Zobrekis, www.z9billiardcloth.de
Pro9.co.uk - The official on-line news and results website, www.pro9.co.uk
CueSportTV – Broadcast quality match videos and interviews, www.cuesport.tv
The JPS Group - Lithographic Printing and display solutions, www.thejpsgroup.co.uk

No updates until in Feb I think...

Sorry guys..
Need to get my head straight first...
Grandma not well..
Got hit by a car yesterday.. Only got bruises thank god.. buy person just drove off, didn't even stop..
Bit shaken but ok.. but then my mom called with the bad news...
Need to sort that out first...
Talk to you soon....

2008

First of all:

Happy new year to everybody!!!

I've been extremely busy lately but around Christmas I did have 5 days off.. Decided to leave everything and just take a rest before the new year starts...

Soon I'll be posting what I think of last year and what i hope for this year...
Just waiting till Lee goes to Holland(can you believe he's going to Holland without me?!?!?! I want to go!!! Not where he's going but just to see family...) so I've got the whole house and PC to myself!!! :D

See ya in about a week!
XXX