Junior members of the Byford Pool Club earned their place at the table at the 2024 WA Junior Pool Championships on Saturday, pocketing a trifecta of places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and securing four spots on the WA State Team.
Close to 40 players from across WA took to the felt at the West Australian Eight Ball Federation HQ, competing in four categories: U12 mixed, U15 mixed, U18 Girls and U18 Boys for a chance to represent WA.
Matthew Paton, who celebrated his 15th birthday on Tuesday, squeezed everything he’d learned in his two years of playing to win in the U18 category, earning the title of U18 WA State Champion. It is another recent milestone in the young player’s rapid rise – in November Matthew is heading to Malta to compete in the U15 World Blackball Championships.
Silver in the U18 Girls went to Byford’s Tempie Charles, also 15, while third place in the U15s went to Brodie and second place in the U12s was claimed by 10-year-old Leila Paton – hot on the heels of her older brother Matthew.
“A huge effort and amazing results from a small club, we’re pretty proud,” coach Andrew Paton said.
“I want to say a special thank you to the Byford & Districts Country Club. Ray and the board do so much for us, they are our biggest supporters and without them we would not exist.”
Local member Hugh Jones was delighted to see a local club shine so brightly.
“What an incredible result for these young players and reflects the commitment and mentorship of coaches Andrew Paton, Alvy Belmont and George Brown. George, in fact, coached my daughter some years ago to win a state swimming record,” he said.
“Good luck to Matty in November and to our four state representatives at the Nationals in January – we will be cheering you on.”
