The Army Billiard Championship, promoted originally by Thurston's, has been revived this season in a manner that promises to eclipse all pre-war records. The Army Sport Control Board has taken official cognizance of the championship, and an Army Billiard Association, with an Executive Committee, has been formed to organize and govern the competition. Entries are open to all ranks. This is an innovation. Before the war the championship was confined to the rank and file.
Another innovation is the introduction of the unit element, now so prevalent in all forms of army sport.
The official conditions provide that the Thurston Challenge Shield can never be won outright, and that all games shall be played in accordance with the rules of the Billiards Association and Control Council. The stages by which the championship will be decided are as follow:—
(i) UNIT STAGE.—Officers, warrant officers, and sergeants, rank and file, to hold knock-out tournaments on their respective mess or institute tables, to decide the best—
(a) Officer.
(b) Sergeant (including W.O.s).
(c) Corporal or Private.
The winners of the three tournaments to play off against each other in the regimental institute to decide the best billiard player in the unit. Games in the above stage not to exceed 250 up.
(ii) The best unit player in each (irrespective of rank) Brigade.
Garrison or other convenient group of troops to play off a knock-out tournament in some garrison or central regimental institute. All games in this stage to be 300 up.
(iii) The winners of stage ii. to play off a knock-out tournament to decide the best player in each command. This tournament to be played off in the most convenient garrison or central regimental institute in the command. All games in this stage to be 500 up.
Winners of command championship will compete in a knock-out tournament at Thurston's in May, 1922, for the army title. Games in this stage to be:—
| Preliminary rounds | 750 up |
| Final | 1,000 up |
In stage (i) any balls may be used by mutual agreement, but ivory balls must be used in stages (ii), (iii), and final.
There will be no entrance fee in the final stage. Prizes in the final stage will be presented by the Army Billiard Association to the winner and runner-up, and mementoes awarded to other competitors. The hon. secretary and treasurer of the Army Billiard Association is Captain Gerald Barry, M.C., Guards Club.