As a result of a meeting of the W.P.B.S.A. held on Monday 9th November and attended by Albert Hanson, The B.Q.R, received the following Fax:
On Monday 9th November I attended a meeting at the request of the WPBSA in Bristol, meeting representatives of the WPBSA Board, former B&SCC reps, ClU, Referees Reps and Trade Reps. The purpose of the meeting was to look at the formation of a new Amateur Association for Snooker and Billiards. I was invited into the meeting when billiards came onto the agenda. I was asked to outline the position of the proposed EABA and did so in line with the discussion at Stoke, Northampton and Spalding mandates.
Talk surrounded 2 rival associations, rival championships, representation of organisations, constitutions and membership. I stressed the need of the Billiards Fraternity to organise its own events and activities who would not be under the control of Snooker oriented representatives.
After much discussion the following points were established and would be subject to the acceptance of the billiards fraternity.
The points herein established will be debated at a future meeting (to be advised) and should form an acceptable basis for the future development of Amateur Billiards under an Amateur Billiards Administration. Failure to satisfy the Billiard Fraternity's requirement of independent organisation could lead to a withdrawal from such an arrangement in future if required.
The above communication seemed to have indicated that a great deal of progress had been made towards establishing a structure that would be in control of the game at national level. A structure that would operate to the benefit of all those who wished to be members.
Consequent upon this broad agreement, the English Amateur Billiards Association amended its draft constitution so as to take into account the points raised at the meeting with officials of the WPBSA. The draft agreement is available to all interested persons. The situation at present is that the English Amateur Billiards Association will be responsible for the oversight of the amateur game as an off-shoot, branch, committee, call it what you will, of the new English Association for Snooker and Billiards, and under the auspices and general oversight of the WPBSA. There can be little doubt that this arrangement will be in the best interests of the game and that amateur billiards will go from strength to strength.
The draft proposal for a constitution drawn up by acting secretary Albert Hanson is a fairly lengthy document. Its main points are as follows:-
The Association shall be known as the English Amateur Billiards Association (Committee)
To develop, promote, and administer the game of English Billiards. To preserve and abide by the accepted rules in force at any given time. To make recommendations as deemed appropriate.
There will be an Annual General Meeting each year to consider all related matters. Terms applicable to AGMs as regards notice, proposals, etc., are as for the AGMs of all similar bodies.
An elected management committee will consist of 5 officers (President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer,) and 5 regional representatives.
The organisation will be mainly financed from the subscriptions of those persons or organisations who are members of the EASB. It is likely that there will be snooker members, billiards members, and a category of membership embracing both games.
Readers are reminded that the above is a very brief summary only of the draft constitution.
The first Annual General Meeting of the English Amateur Billiards Association will be held at the Reardon Club, 5 Adventure Place, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday 21st February at 1.00p.m. All interested persons are invited to attend. Proposals for discussion and nominations for office or area representation should reach the secretary in writing not less than fourteen days prior to the meeting. Proposals and nominations to Mr. A. Hanson (Hon.Sec. E.A.B.A.)
It is the considered opinion of the BQR that the arrangements as outlined above are in the very best interests of the Amateur game and that a possible damaging split has been avoided thanks to goodwill and common-sense on the part of the WPBSA and acting chairman Derek Townend, and the diplomacy and negotiating skills of Albert Hanson. All billiards enthusiasts should welcome these developments. Provided that there are no setbacks, and there seems no reason why there should be any, then, under new management, the game will flourish as never before.