World Pool-Billiard Association
The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) is the international governing body for pocket billiards. It was formed in 1987, and was initially headed by a provisional board of directors that consists of representatives from Japan, the United States, Sweden, and Germany. As of November 2011, the WPA president is Ian Anderson of Australia, and the organization is headquartered in Sydney. It is an associate of the World Confederation of Billiard Sports (WCBS), the international umbrella organization that encompasses the major cue sports. It also sanctions rules and events for carom billiards.
History
Many European players, who had the European Championships as their highest level of competition, have been aware of pool events in the United States; they were dissatisfied with the development of the sport in the continent, and wanted to compete at a higher level. In 1976, the Europeans held a world championship in Japan, which spawned some interest and initial contacts with Asia. However, most of the efforts were initiated by individuals or national organizations, and progressed slowly.
In November 1987, at a European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) board meeting in Germany, the idea of a worldwide competition resurfaced. The EPBF board members used their own money to fund a group to create a logo, letterheads and communications with various pool organizations. Kazuo Fujima of Japan replied that Asia was interested in participating. The group's general assembly was held in conjunction with the 1988 European Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. The group also formed a provisional board that consisted of Kazuo Fujima (Japan), Paul Gerni (USA), Jorgen Sandman (Sweden), and Horst Vondenhoff (Germany).
In the summer of 1989, the board began plans for a WPA World Nine-ball Championship. The group sent invitations, rules, sports regulations and by-laws. Reception was positive, except from the United States contingent, whose concerns included an unawareness of the developments in Europe and Asia, the skill levels of their players, and the necessary funds for membership. The United States eventually joined in December.
In March 1990, the inaugural WPA World Nine-ball Championship was held in Bergheim, Germany. The playing field included 32 men and 16 women in separate divisions, and has since become an annual event.[1]
On March 3, 1990, the World Pool-Billiard Association was sanctioned by the general assembly as the international governing body for pool. The acronym WPA was selected so it would not conflict with the existing Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA).
Membership in the WPA has grown since its inception. In 1991, Australia and New Zealand, under the umbrella of the Australasian Pool Association, became members. In 1999, the organizations associated with Latin America and the Caribbean became members, and in 2000, a substantial portion of the organizations from Africa joined.
Sanctioned tournaments
Member confederations and countries
The WPA members are grouped by six continental/regional confederations, who in turn, consist of members from a country's national federation. The chart and table shows the WPA's members as of November 2011:[2]
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Current WPA world champions
| Discipline | Champion[4] |
|---|---|
| Eight-ball |  Chang Jung-lin |
| Nine-ball | Men: Ko Pin-yi Women: Liu Shasha Juniors, Boys: Aloysius Yapp Juniors, Girls': Liu Yuchen Wheelchair: Henrik Larsson |
| Ten-ball | Men: Ko Pin-yi Women: Rubilen Amit |
| Artistic Pool |  Nick Nikolaidis |
| Straight pool |  Oliver Ortmann |
Board Members
As of November 2011, the WPA board of directors are:[5]
- Ian Anderson (Australia)
- Andy Chang (Taiwan)
- Jerry Forsyth (USA)
- Marcin Krzeminski (Poland)
- Ronnie Chua Poh Teck (Singapore)
Anderson is the President of the board, Chang is the Executive member, and Forsyth is the Publicity Officer.
See also
- List of professional sports leagues
- List of world eight-ball champions
- List of WPA World Nine-ball champions
Notes
- ↑ The BCA is a single organization, without separate national US and Canadian federations. It pre-dates, and was a founding member of, the WPA.
- ↑ What is meant by "Netherlands Antilles" here is uncertain, since that entity dissolved (partly absorbed into Netherlands as special municipalities, partly re-established as the independent island nations of Curaçao and Sint Maarten) in October 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Provisional full members as of February 2011.
- 1 2 Membership unknown due to conflicting reliable sources as of November 2011
- ↑ Not a full member as of February 2011.
References
- ↑ WPA history
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "About WPA: Our Members". WPA-Pool.com: The Official Website for the Governing Body of Pool. Sydney, Australia: World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ↑ "Members of EPBF". EPBF.com. European Pocket Billiard Federation. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ↑ "World Pool-Billiard Association". World Champions. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ↑ "About WPA: Board". WPA-Pool.com. (Op. cit.). 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
External links
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