A team of six pool players from Kamloops has made history by winning the Western Canada Billiard Championship in Edmonton, Alberta. The team, called The Lunch Money Crew, beat 137 other teams from across Western Canada in the 8-Ball pool tournament, which was held over three days in February 2024. The team went undefeated in the tournament and earned $4,850 in prize money. The team members are Zale Coty, Mike Friesen, Geoff Luis, Fred Camille, Nazmul Hoque and Riley Pochay, who all play in the Ragman Billiard League and are sponsored by the Westsyder Pub. The team’s victory is a remarkable achievement for the Kamloops Billiard Club, which also sent another team to the tournament.
The Journey to the Championship
The Lunch Money Crew’s journey to the championship was not easy, as they had to face tough competition from other skilled and experienced pool players. The team had to play 10 matches in total, each consisting of 25 games. The team had to win at least 13 games in each match to advance to the next round. The team managed to win all their matches, with some close calls and nail-biting finishes. The team’s captain, Mike Friesen, said:
“We had some really tight matches, especially in the finals. We were down 12-10 and we came back and won 13-12. It was a very intense and exciting match.”
Friesen also praised his teammates for their performance and teamwork, saying:
“We all played really well and supported each other. We have a lot of chemistry and friendship on the team. We practice together many times a week and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
The Celebration and Recognition
The Lunch Money Crew’s win was celebrated by their friends, family, and supporters, who congratulated them on their achievement and welcomed them back to Kamloops. The team also received recognition and appreciation from the Kamloops Billiard Club, the Ragman Billiard League, and the Westsyder Pub, who all expressed their pride and happiness for the team. The team also received media attention and coverage, as they were featured in local and regional news outlets, such as Castanet Kamloops and Ernst, Blazers stave off T-Birds, get back in Western Conference championship. The team’s win also inspired and motivated other pool players in Kamloops and beyond, who aspire to follow their example and success.
The Future Plans and Goals
The Lunch Money Crew’s win was not the end of their journey, but the beginning of a new one. The team has more plans and goals for the future, as they aim to compete and win in more tournaments and championships. The team’s next challenge is the Canadian Cue Sports Canadian Championship, which will be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, from March 14 to March 17, 2024. The team will represent Kamloops and British Columbia in the national tournament, which will feature the best pool players from across Canada. The team’s ultimate goal is to qualify and participate in the international tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, which will be held in May 2024. The team’s member, Zale Coty, said:
“We are very excited and confident for the next tournaments. We have proven ourselves in the Western Canada Championship and we are ready to take on the rest of Canada and the world. We are not afraid of anyone and we will give our best in every match.”