Colorado Springs, Colorado: The Billiard Congress of America [BCA] recently announced changes to its Junior Billiards program for the 2005-2006 season, including an expanded upper age division and exclusive qualifying for Junior Nationals.

To conform with age division standards set by the World Pool-Billiard Association, 19-year olds will now be able to compete in new 19 & Under Boys and Girls divisions, beginning with the 2006 Junior & Collegiate 9-Ball Championships [Junior Nationals]. Divisions played at this national event (and its qualifiers) will continue to match those fielded internationally, which are now: 19 & Under Boys, 14 & Under Boys, 19 & Under Girls and 14 & Under Girls.

Age division rules for competition at both the BCA Junior Nationals and the WPA World Championships state that players must be 18 on December 31 of the year preceding competition in order to be eligible to play in the new year. If the player turns 19 on or before December 31, they would not be eligible to compete in the following year.

To attend Junior Nationals and compete for a spot on the U.S. Junior Team, players may qualify in one of three ways: Returning finalists: The BCA will contact and invite the top two finishers from each division of the 2005 Junior Nationals to compete in 2006. These eight players will be exempt from qualifying, but if they care to practice at a designated qualifier, they are welcome to do so.

-- BCA Junior National Qualifier: The top two finishers in each sanctioned division at a designated Junior National Qualifier will earn a spot in the Junior Nationals. Host sites for the Junior National Qualifiers will be listed on BCA-Pool.com and EnjoyPool.com, along with information on how to attend.

-- BCA Junior League Assignment: Players may be assigned by a BCA Junior League Operator. As an exclusive benefit to BCA -- -- Junior Leagues, each league operator may assign one player per division for the event. Players from any other league systems are invited and encouraged to attend a sanctioned BCA Junior National Qualifier in order to qualify for the Junior Nationals.

All players that qualify for, or are assigned to, the Junior Nationals are required to be current BCA Junior Billiards members in good standing. There will also be a nominal entry fee for participation. Please contact Tracy Hart at the BCA office with any questions by calling 719-264-8300 ext 110 or email to: tracy@bca-pool.com Junior Billiards Program Changes Announced
New qualifying and age division rules go into effect this season

Colorado Springs, Colorado: The Billiard Congress of America [BCA] recently announced changes to its Junior Billiards program for the 2005-2006 season, including an expanded upper age division and exclusive qualifying for Junior Nationals.

To conform with age division standards set by the World Pool-Billiard Association, 19-year olds will now be able to compete in new 19 & Under Boys and Girls divisions, beginning with the 2006 Junior & Collegiate 9-Ball Championships [Junior Nationals]. Divisions played at this national event (and its qualifiers) will continue to match those fielded internationally, which are now: 19 & Under Boys, 14 & Under Boys, 19 & Under Girls and 14 & Under Girls.

Age division rules for competition at both the BCA Junior Nationals and the WPA World Championships state that players must be 18 on December 31 of the year preceding competition in order to be eligible to play in the new year. If the player turns 19 on or before December 31, they would not be eligible to compete in the following year.

To attend Junior Nationals and compete for a spot on the U.S. Junior Team, players may qualify in one of three ways: Returning finalists: The BCA will contact and invite the top two finishers from each division of the 2005 Junior Nationals to compete in 2006. These eight players will be exempt from qualifying, but if they care to practice at a designated qualifier, they are welcome to do so.

-- BCA Junior National Qualifier: The top two finishers in each sanctioned division at a designated Junior National Qualifier will earn a spot in the Junior Nationals. Host sites for the Junior National Qualifiers will be listed on BCA-Pool.com and EnjoyPool.com, along with information on how to attend.

-- BCA Junior League Assignment: Players may be assigned by a BCA Junior League Operator. As an exclusive benefit to BCA -- -- Junior Leagues, each league operator may assign one player per division for the event. Players from any other league systems are invited and encouraged to attend a sanctioned BCA Junior National Qualifier in order to qualify for the Junior Nationals.

All players that qualify for, or are assigned to, the Junior Nationals are required to be current BCA Junior Billiards members in good standing. There will also be a nominal entry fee for participation. Please contact Tracy Hart at the BCA office with any questions by calling 719-264-8300 ext 110 or email to: tracy@bca-pool.com