The EABA considered a request to have the English Amateur Final played along with the English Snooker event at Liverpool in late May.
This request was declined because of previously determined commitments to return to Nuneaton in late March/April. The EABA have requested representation to the tournament organising Committee of the EASB in order to consider amalgamation of the finals in future seasons.
The EABA have re-evaluated the prize funding and entry fee position of their events:
a) English Amateur prize fund up to £1,000 with the winners prize up £100 to £300, entry fee raised £2 to £12. Entries are 80+ attracting £960 therefore covering the prize fund. Event costs of £1,000 have been budgeted for.
The office has secured sponsorship support of £950 from Strachan.
The 80 Entries have been split into 7 playing regions and qualifying will take place in January to determine 32 players who will compete at Nuneaton. The last 32 will compete on consecutive weekends from 14th March with the semi-final to be played on 4th & 5th April 1998.
b) English Grand Masters entry forms are currently in distribution, (50 last year) prize fund of £410 and overall costs of £760. Entry fee increased £2 to £ 12. Final to be 28th March 1998.
c) English U16 & U19 entry forms will be distributed in January.
Entry fees are £5 each. Regional qualification to take place with finals proposed for Middlesbrough on 2nd May 1998. Prize funds are £170 each event and the office has secured sponsorship from Strachan to this extent.
d) English Team Event entry forms re-distributed. Entry costs £20 per team. Prize fund £285 with overall costs £400.
The Committee continues to work voluntarily and takes no expenses other than directly expended items. Travel/phone etc costs have not been claimed against the budget. Updated financial statement enclosed.
In addition to tournaments the Amateur Billiards Circuit continues to flourish with monthly events being staged at different venues throughout the country. It attracts upwards of 60 competitors and is a great means of communication of billiards information.
The English Junior Ranking events expect to have 4 tournaments this season. Aimed at bringing more juniors into tournament play it has had limited success to date.
The quarterly magazine has now been published 7 times to date. Circulation is around the 150 mark and has international distribution. The publication is effectively self financing with an expanding contribution list.
Paul Bennett and Darren Kell attended the event in Malta. Paul received financial support from the EABA budget after a decision of the EASB who overturned an EABA view not to fund players in an Open event that involved professionals.
The Teesside public supported part of Paul's costs and along with the CIU paid Darren's costs to compete. Both Paul and Darren proved to be fine ambassadors. Both qualified to the later stages after round robin success. Paul was unbeaten including a win over Bhaskar while Darren's only round robin loss was against Shandilya. Darren lost in the quarter finals and Paul in the semi finals.
Relationships between the respective bodies are now happy and stable apart from the World Open funding position. The office in Bristol and the officers of the EABA now work more harmoniously than in previous times.
With movements "upstairs" for Freya Broad and Sarah Chandler-Jones it would be hoped that Laura Wakeman would stay as EASB Co-ordinator for the foreseeable future to provide some continuity to operations.
I wish to extend my personal thanks to the staff of both EASB and WPBSA offices for their assistance and support to me and billiards in general.
| Balance at 30th June 1997 | £1,540.00 |
| Balance at 14th October 1997 | £1,922.10 |
| Deposits | |
| EASB budget allocation (£2500 less Paul Bennett in World Open) | £2,027.50 |
| Magazine sales & video sales | £368.50 |
| English Amateur entries | £156.00 |
| Team entry | £20.00 |
| Balance | £4,494.10 |
| Expenditure - since 14/10/97 | |
| Magazine | £257.05 |
| Balance at 9/12/97 | £4,237.05 |
| Budget expenditure for end season 1997/98 | |
| English Amateur prizes | £950.00 |
| staging | £1,050.00 |
| Grand Masters prizes | £410.00 |
| staging | £350.00 |
| Team Event prizes | £285.00 |
| staging | £110.00 |
| English U 16 prizes | £170.00 |
| English U 19 prizes | £170.00 |
| The Billiard Player | £400.00 |
| £3,895.00 | |
| Budget project receipts not yet received | |
| Strachan sponsorship (£950 + £170 x 2) | £1,290.00 |
| Grand Masters entries (50 x £12) | £600.00 |
| English U16 & U19 (40 x £5) | £200.00 |
| £2,090.00 | |
| Projected end of season balance | £2,432.05 |