A large number of retirees went back to school at the weekend (April 5 and 6) when they joined an intensive coaching program at the Buderim Snooker Club. The Come and Try Day was particularly popular with residents of the Bellflower resort who gained new skills and improved old ones under the excellent coaching of Brisbane’s Danik Lucas.
Lucas, the Oceania billiards champions, has supported the club’s players over the past year as they benefit from a state government grant to encourage more people to get active. Stan Hobby, a club committee member, organised the enthusiastic response from Bellflower and the players were keen to return to their regular weekly games armed with their extra talents.
While many mature members attended the sessions, cueists of various ages joined in as they learned more about the games of snooker and billiards. Three young women also attended and picked up tips to help them beat their friends on nights out.
“These coaching days have been a benefit to players of all grades,” vice-president Ron Cleaver said. “The interest shown and the concentration of the players during the activities is a credit to the high-quality coaching of Danik. All grades were catered for and the Coast was covered with players coming from Gympie to Bribie Island.”
The next big event at the club is the final rounds of the A grade snooker competition. Peter Warwick is in line to defend his trophy after reaching the semi-finals of the tournament, which will be held from 7pm on May 8 and is supported by I Spy Pies.
The best players on the Coast have been represented in the tournament, with Graham Baker, John Wells and Paul Williams also competing strongly as they battle for the Chadwick Shield. For information call 5476 9637.