- Second Junior Open to feature on Nineball World Tour
- Set to take place on June 2-3
- $10,000 prize fund with winner and runner-up to also qualify for 2024 UK Open
Matchroom Pool is delighted to announce the launch of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open at this year’s UK Open set to run from May 30 to June 4.
Named after two-time Mosconi Cup MVP Shaw, the tournament will offer 64 of the best up-and-coming players the opportunity to play alongside the pros in the second edition of the UK Open at the Copper Box Arena, London.
As part of Matchroom’s commitment to growing Nineball and offering opportunities to all, the tournament will be the second junior open on the calendar alongside the SVB Junior Open which took place for the first time last year at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City during the US Open.
Carrying a prize fund of $10,000, the JS Junior Open will be free to enter with junior players battling it out for a free spot in the 2024 UK Open and prize money during the penultimate stages of the main tournament on June 2-3. Juniors competing will also receive a custom jersey provided by Onboard Sportswear as well as Kamui chalk and cue tip.
The final will also be live-streamed on the Matchroom Pool social media pages with coverage also set to feature during the live broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and networks worldwide.
Juniors competing in the tournament will not be eligible to compete in the main UK Open Pool Championship due to match schedules. As part of the entry to the JS Junior Open, juniors will be offered a free season pass for them and one adult to enjoy the whole UK Open to have time to study the world’s best as they battle.
Entries will open on Tuesday, 7 March at 2 pm UK time.
Two-time Mosconi Cup MVP Jayson Shaw said: “It is an honour to have a Junior Open named after myself. I love seeing all these young players competing to become champions, it reminds me of when I was growing up trying to become a professional. It will be exciting for them to compete alongside top nineball players in the world, being able to learn from them as well as competing. These players are the future of the game so we need to support them, and guide them as they pursue their goal of becoming champions themselves. I can’t wait to watch them display their skills in London.”
Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer cannot wait to see what Juniors come through at this year’s UK Open: “The SVB Junior Open was an overwhelming success last year and it has inspired us to put on, even more, Junior Opens this year alongside our main event. We want to develop the grassroots of Nineball, giving younger players the opportunity and experience in Matchroom events with television cameras and production. This will provide a great platform for up-and-coming players from the UK and beyond to compete in one of London’s most historic sporting arenas. I’d like to take the chance to thank our partners at Sky Sports, Cuetec, Diamond Billiards, Aramith Balls, Iwan Simonis, Kamui, and Onboard Sportswear for making it possible.”
Buy Tickets for the UK Open Pool Championship from £15 here.
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