The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is thrilled to announce its 30th Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships (JNC) to be held July 10-14, 2018 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Junior State Championships and qualifiers are being held across the country for the youth to earn their chance to compete at the JNC.
“We are so excited to have our 2018 Junior Nation Championship at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. There is nothing quite like watching these young kids compete and have a great time,” said the BEF president Tom Riccobene. “We couldn’t be prouder of the level of intelligence, comradery, and talent these kids bring to this event. Everything we do for these events comes from our hearts and is focused on the kids.”
For over 3 decades, young billiard student-athletes from all over the country compete in local qualifiers for their chance at this prestigious title, scholarship dollars, and prizes. It’s the only junior event in the U.S. that qualifies young players to compete at the WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) World Junior 9-Ball Championships.
Between junior leagues, qualifiers and the Junior State Championship program, the BEF is anticipating its largest participation this year. The national championships boast 8 divisions: 18 & Under Boys, 16 & Under Boys, 14 & Under Boys, 11 & Under Boys (non-world-qualifying division), 18 & Under Girls, 16 & Under Girls, 14 & Under Girls, and 11 & Under Girls (non-world-qualifying division). The three upper age divisions for both boys and girls will also all be World Qualifiers. Those matches will be played on 20 each, 9' Diamonds. Deadline to register is June 30, 2018.
A special addition to the national tournament continues in the magnetism and competitive challenge of “artistic pool”, says ESPN & World Masters Trick Shot Champion Tom “Dr. Cue”® Rossman. For 25 years, this unique and exciting championship has run parallel to the 9-ball event. Each player in 8 youthful divisions of the 2018 BEF National Junior Championships has the opportunity to “take the artistic challenge”. “Everyone has a chance to win the 2018 BEF Junior National “Artistic Pool” Championship title in your respective division. It’s easy, it’s exciting, it’s fun, and it’s an experience you will never forget.”
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. The BEF also sanctions Junior State Championships, produces the annual Junior National 9- Ball Championships and qualifies young players each year for the WPA World Junior Championships.
