In January 1998, at an ABC tournament, John Smith from Worcester and myself were in conversation and John mentioned that he had been on holiday to New Zealand in 1997. He was singing praises about the majestic beauty of the country and his desire to return for another visit. He also mentioned that he had met and played Billiards with Paul Stocker from Hawkes Bay, the current New Zealand No.1 who originally also hailed from Worcester. I informed John that I knew several of the New Zealand players having met them in IBSF tournaments in India & Australia and had kept in touch with them because of their obvious enthusiasm for the Amateur game. John asked the question "How do you feel about touring, playing Billiards in New Zealand"? I snapped at the idea and said "count me in 101%" - the idea was born.
Over discussions John said that a party of four would be ideal for travelling economics and also for New Zealand Area Associations who could field four good standard players regionally. Next question was who would join us - Bill Andress? we asked Bill and he accepted immediately, it turned out Bill has a sister Joan living in Hastings - we were three. Over the next twelve months (we had decided 2000 would be the year) John liaised with Paul Stocker as regards the format of the tour. It transpired that if we visited in October, we could play in the New Zealand Open, everything was falling in to place. Ray Habgood from Auckland then took over the organisational side. The work he put in was unbelievable and even he was surprised by the enthusiasm shown by the various Area Associations in New Zealand for our impending visit.
With time marching on, at the Spondon ABC in February 2000, Derick Townend joined our squad - we were four.
Within a week we had booked our trip for October, John's idea "The Loose Cannons" was born and is here to stay. Momentum gathered and with direct contact with Area Associations, the Billiards trip of a lifetime was formed and finalised with the bonus of matches against Singapore by courtesy of The Singapore Billiards & Snooker Association and its President Alan Puan on the return journey.
Words cannot describe the hospitality and enthusiasm shown to us by all our New Zealand friends on this inaugural trip, which has now become an annual event.
The Loose Cannons have since been joined by Paul Dunning, Brian Harvey and David Smith, all of whom have accepted the hand of friendship extended to us from our fellow Billiards enthusiasts in New Zealand.