Press Releases

2024 WEPF WORLD EIGHTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hosted by EPA and Ultimate Pool

On behalf of the World Eightball Pool Federation we are pleased to announce that the World Championships will be held on the 18th to 27th June 2024 at the Grand Hotel Blackpool England. We are grateful to the English Pool Association with the assistance of our major sponsor Ultimate Pool that have accepted to host the event this year.

We invite member countries to participate in numerous numbers in the various Team and Individual event categories. Challenge yourself against some of the best players in the World while representing your country with pride.

We look forward to welcome, you to The Ultimate Eightball Pool Championships 2024 in Blackpool England.



Joe Fanto



WEPF President

WEPF / UPG

Transgender Statement

24/10/2023



Dear All



World Eightball Pool Federation and Ultimate Pool Group today updated competition eligibility for transgender and non-binary players.

Providing regulatory conditions are met view here under section four (by laws), transgender and non-binary players will be able to participate in the women’s series across World Eightball Pool Federation and Ultimate Pool Group events.

There is no change to the regulations for the men’s series and this continues to be open to all.

World Eightball Pool Federation and Ultimate Pool Group remain committed to the development of the sport for all participants and gender inclusivity is an important part of this.

For further enquiries please contact: lloyd.webb@amg-global.co.uk



Yours in Sport



WEPF and UPG

WEPF / UP Transgender Statement

WEPF / UP Transgender Statement

The WEPF and the Ultimate Pool Group are committed to transparency and fairness within the realm of sports, we want to address an important update concerning WEPF/Ultimate Pool Women's events with the changes being implemented from January 1st 2024.

After careful consideration, we have made the decision to revise the eligibility criteria for participation in our events, these events will be exclusively open to individuals who are born female.

We understand that this decision may prompt questions and discussions within our sport. We want to emphasise that our commitment to upholding the values of sportsmanship, inclusivity, and adherence to regulatory standards remains unwavering.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure the continued growth and development of the sport we all love, while maintaining a harmonious balance between inclusivity and the integrity of competition. We recognise the importance of fostering an environment where everyone can participate and thrive, and we remain dedicated to upholding these principles to the best of our ability.

We aim to work closely with member associations and the wider community to ensure that these changes are executed in a manner that respects the interests and concerns of all parties involved.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this period. Our commitment to delivering exceptional Women’s events remains strong, and we are optimistic that these changes will contribute positively to the growth and success of the sport.



Yours in Sport



WEPF and Ultimate Pool

TRIBUTE TO THE PASSING OF JASON TWIST WEPF DUAL WORLD CHAMPION

R.I.P.

The WEPF Executive and members are very sad to hear of the passing of JASON TWIST, we offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Jason is a dual Mens World Champion winning the title in 2000 and 2002, he represented his country on numerous occasions winning many more trophies as a most valued member of the England Team.

He was a wonderful ambassador to the game of Eight-Ball Pool and will be sadly missed.

Joe Fanto
President WEPF

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 IN AUSTRALIA

The World Eight ball Pool Federation congratulates the Australian Eightball Federation on a successful bid to host the World Championships in Albury, Australia, in May 2024.




Joe FANTO
WEPF President



THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

The World Eightball Pool Federation is delighted to announce a new partnership with Onboard Sportswear, who will be the preferred clothing provider for 2021-22.

The two year deal will see the WEPF tournament officials sporting the bespoke designed sportwear at all WEPF events and in addition, another exclusively designed official merchandise shirt and jacket will be available to purchase for our championships.

Onboard will also offer our members the highest quality custom teamwear at very competitive prices; their creative design team will deliver a bespoke shirt your country will be proud of.

Ceri Morris of Onboard said...

We are delighted to announce the exciting 2 year partnership with World EightBall Pool Federation who are possibly the biggest organisation in English 8 ball pool.

The WEPF have multiple international events throughout each calendar year with countries participating from all over the world.
The 2 year partnership will see us support them in providing unique custom designed Tournament Official Shirts for their sporting events which will be released in the coming weeks along with some other WEPF merchandise that will be available for sale later this year.

We aim to reach out to all nations involved in the WEPF events this year and support them with design and supply of their own Official International shirts.

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

The Shark Rack is delighted to be chosen as the rack of choice for the forthcoming 2021 World Pool Championships.

It’s clearly been a tough time for all involved in the pool world over the past year and anticipation is certainly building for the resumption of major pool competitions like this!

Extremely proud to be aligned with such a prestigious competition and it’s fantastic that the Shark Rack will be a part of the pool action.

Wishing the all best to the players taking part and best of luck to you all

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

FESTIVE SEASON MESSAGES

Dear Members,

As the 2020 year comes to an end the WEPF thanks you all for continuing to be supportive through an exceedingly difficult period in our history.

We wish you, your families Pool players and lovers of the game in your respective countries a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR of prosperity, good health and hope of a year that brings us back to a world that allows us to enjoy friendship and participation of International Pool in real life as we have become accustom to for many years.

On behalf of the WEPF Executive Committee

Joe Fanto
President WEPF




WEPF VIDEOS

Dear Members,

Over the last 6 months we have been releasing our history on YouTube.

I'm sure you've enjoyed reliving those fantastic matches and for some of you it will be seen for the first time.

We are pleased to inform you that we now have a comprehensive catalogue on our website.

Lee Kendall

WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director

TRIBUTE TO THE PASSING OF INAUGURAL PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD EIGHTBAL POOL FEDERATION

LANCE SHEEN

R I P

It is with sadness that we hear of the passing of Lance Sheen, we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Laurie and his family.

In 1992 in his role as President of The Australian Eight-Ball Federation he was instrumental along with representatives from The English Pool Association and New Zealand Eight Association in forming the WEPF.

In 1993 at the first World Championships and AGM of the WEPF held in England, Lance Sheen was elected President and served in the position with great energy and passion for the game until he retired in 1998.

We thank Lance for his exemplary leadership and contribution to the WEPF, promotion of the sport at world level, and in particular laying the solid foundation for the Sport in Australia which to this day continues to be a member of the WEPF and has participated at every World Championship held.

Lance Sheen will be truly missed by the Sport of Eight Ball Pool and its vast WEPF family. We will remember his jovial, friendly character, and for those of us that were present, we will not forget his colourful speeches at opening ceremonies and presentation nights.

Joe Fanto

WEPF President

On behalf of the WEPF Members

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

Statement related to Supreme Rules and new Sponsorship offer proposed to the members of the WEPF

Dear Members,

The WEPF Executive would like to take this opportunity to share some facts on what has transpired in the last 8 months that brings the WEPF and its members to this Sponsorship opportunity, if they decide to adopt the Supreme Rules.

Supreme rules

Lee Kendall owns the rights to the Rules.

Lee’s objective and the intent of the WEPF Executive is to try and elevate the profile of our sport to a level that it truly deserves, and in particular playing Rules that are both enjoyable and more conducive to attracting Television back to our game.

Also playing one rule set is the ultimate goal. If associations agree to adopt them then Lee will give them the copyright under these conditions.

They stick to the agreed Constitutional guidelines and not make changes until permitted.

If multiple associations adopt them they must work together so they don't become two rule sets.

The Sponsor

Lee Kendall’s relationship with Mark Quirk.

It is Mark's idea to invest heavily with an ambition to unite the sport, Mark approached Lee to assist with this plan, knowing Lee’s passion for 8ball. So now the dream and ultimate ambition is to make it a reality together for the future of World 8ball pool.

Firstly Mark has personally invested £30,000 towards the 2021 World Championships to demonstrate his serious commitment.

There has already been conversation with Ross McInnes, Kevin Barton Mike Perkins and the WEPF executives to discuss the possibility of working together in the future, and we anticipate further discussions.

Lee has been totally transparent with the WEPF Executive on this matter, and the WEPF Executive have known Mark's intentions from the beginning. Mark approached Lee back in November 2019 to work privately with him, however in Lee’s role as Sponsorship and Marketing Director of the WEPF Lee felt it was his obligation to request of Mark that sponsorship be directed to the WEPF, and together with the member Countries and their players work towards achieving our dream for the Sport.

Hence at this present time we have 30,000 pounds in the bank account for 2021 and a proposed 120,000 pound Sponsorship contract on the table for the members of the WEPF to consider at the upcoming 2020 AGM.

Kind regards

WEPF Executive

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

WEPF EXECUTIVE STATEMENT ON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020

Dear Members,

On the 25 May the WEPF executive held a meeting by Skype and it is with regret that I provide the following update.

The Executive have decided that the WEPF World Championships for 2020 will not be held.

In your respective countries we acknowledge that the health and well being of you and your families is the most important aspect of your lives during these unprecedented times, the future is too unpredictable to assume that it will be safe to travel and participate.

The WEPF Executive will continue to meet regularly and we will provide you with information about the World Championships for 2021 as soon as possible.

In the mean time please stay safe.

Kindest Regards
Joe Fanto
President WEPF
26 May 2020

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

WEPF EXECUTIVE STATEMENT ON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020

Dear Members,

On the 24th April the WEPF executive held a meeting by Skype and I provide the following update.

We hope that you are all safe in your respective Countries and acknowledge that the health and well being of you and your families is the most important aspect of our lives at this present time, we are all under strict direction and restrictions of our respective Health Authorities and Governments in an effort to one day return to normal activities once we are all assured by the authorities and confident that we have overcome the dangers of the continual spread of Covid-19.

At this point in time when that day will be, we do not know, with the added complication that different Countries are at different stages of this epidemic strain than others.

When we last reported in mid March 2020 we advised that we have rescheduled the World Championships to commence in mid November 2020, and to be held in England.

Since then the English Pool Association have unfortunately had to inform us that due to the Imperial Hotel not being available for mid November 2020, and nor could another appropriate hotel be found for our event within acceptable price range they have had to withdraw from hosting the World Championship 2020.

We are extremely grateful for the massive efforts of the EPA to host these Championships since 1993.

Subsequently with assistance from David McQuillan and the Irish Pool Association they have managed to find an appropriate venue near Dublin, Ireland for the event to start mid November 2020 and they are prepared to host the 2020 Championships.

We have decided that at present we remain optimistic that the World Championships may still happen in 2020 and presently are leaving it open for this to happen, however we are also mindful that many factors will have to align for preparation of the event and participation of your respective countries to participate if possible.

We have set ourselves the 30 June 2020 as the deadline to make the ultimate decision of whether the Championships will go ahead or not, taking into consideration consultation with you the members and of course advice from the various health authorities and Governments.

Please keep safe but feel free at any time you believe appropriate to start communicating any matters in relation to the current status or foreseeable issues with your Sport in the light of these difficult times and possibility of attending the World Championships 2020 if it is possible for them to go ahead in Mid November 2020.

Kindest Regards
Joe Fanto
President WEPF
25 April 2020

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

CORONAVIRUS-WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020

At 7.00pm UK time 17 March 2020 the Executive Committee of the WEPF held a special meeting by Skype and telephone link to discuss the World Championships scheduled to commence 29 June 2020 in the light of COVID-19 that has embraced a significant part of the World.

In the interest of the Health and well being of competitors officials and spectators, guided by the preventative measures and restrictions to travel being put in place by Government, Health Authorities in the UK and your respective countries, the World Championships 2020 have been postponed.

The WEPF is working with the English Pool Association to preferably have the World Championships take place later in the year with tentative dates being 18th to 27th November 2020.

We expect to be able to provide you with more detail very soon.

The WEPF committee asks that you and your families stay safe and wish you good health during this challenging time.

Regards
Joe Fanto
President WEPF
18 March 2020

Back in Blackpool !

Wych to voice the 2020 Alitus World Eight-Ball Pool Championships

The 2020 Alitus World Eight-Ball Pool Championships is excited to welcome back world-renowned cuesports commentator Jim Wych into the booth for the blue riband event later this year.

Canadian Wych enjoyed a distinguished professional snooker career spanning three different decades with highlights such as reaching the world championship quarter-finals at the Crucible Theatre on two occasions in 1980 and 1992.

Since hanging up his cue, Wych has become one of the most recognisable and respected cuesports broadcasters with vast experience in many events and disciplines both in North America and abroad. Alongside his time on tournaments like the World Pool Masters and the Mosconi Cup, Wych worked on the WEPF World Eight-Ball Pool Championships for over 15 years as chief commentator and interviewer.

With an unprecedented 12 days live coverage being shown on free-to-air British TV sports channel FreeSports – totaling over 100 hours of thrilling action – we are delighted to introduce Wych back into the commentary box for his expertise.

This year’s reinvigorated championships – which will showcase players representing nations from across the world in both individual and team competitions – takes place at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool between the 29th June – 10th July.



Jim says hello to the fans...

Lee Kendall
WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

World Championships to be Televised

The World Eight ball Pool Federation (WEPF) is delighted to announce that the 2020 WEPF World Championships will be broadcast live on British free-to-air TV sports channel FreeSports.

Following hard work behind the scenes by the newly installed committee, a lucrative and unprecedented 12-day package consisting of daily afternoon and evening sessions has been secured.

With over 100 hours of live coverage scheduled, this heralds a new era for global 8 ball pool's longest-running showcase. Understandably a major step forward, this is a huge opportunity for our organisation to exhibit our great event and we can't wait to get the ball rolling.

English 8 Ball Pool's popularity and audience continues to grow and we are quickly becoming recognised as a serious sport. Aired from the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool between June 29th to July 10th, for the first time, international teams will have the chance to play and proudly represent their colours in front of the live TV cameras, as will all of our different player categories.

Yours in sport
Lee Kendall
WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director.



Richard Webb (Director of Programming at FreeSports) added :

“We are thrilled to be able to add the World Eightball Pool Championships to our already full schedule of top class pool. Our coverage of the top Blackball events in the country has been hugely enjoyable from the IPA World Championships, through the Champions Cup and Premier League to the IPA Masters. And of course the unmissable Saturday night Shootout events.”

Bringing in the Eightball World Championships feels like a final piece in the jigsaw with many top Blackball players that we will have seen on our screens cueing up in a different format of the sport, it will be interesting to see how they get on and see some new faces from both the UK and a wider field worldwide on our screens.

FreeSports is available free on Sky HD Channel 422, Virgin TV HD Channel 553, Channel 64 on Freeview and BT and on Freesat Channel 252.

Live Pool events are a regular occurrence on FreeSports having previously aired the IPA Premier League and IPA World Championships earlier this year as well as Taom Shootout Pool.

FreeSports is a sister channel of Premier Sports who broadcast LaLiga, Serie A, all 152 games of the Guinness PRO14, Scottish Cup football, 500 games from the NHL & home to the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series.

ULTIMATE TEAM GEAR

Special offer from our partner

Special offer from our partner Ultimate Team Gear

Order before the 12th October to receive this fantastic discount.

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

Official WEPF Shirt

It gives me great pleasure to announce the official WEPF shirt for the 2020 World Championships.

On behalf of the WEPF I would like to thank Ultimate Team Gear for their latest design and we are excited to see all our Countries in their own newly designed shirts.

They are now available to purchase please click on this link :

Ultimate Team Gear Website

Regards
Lee Kendall
WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

NEW WEBSITE

The WEPF are pleased to reveal our new website

Please have a browse through and we would welcome your thoughts and comments.
We have worked hard to compile a detailed history of our World Championships, this includes the rankings, match stats and photos.

On behalf of the WEPF and all players I would personally like to thank Thierry Durand for his hard work, professionalism and commitment to bring you all this stunning website. Thank you Thierry!

Please share all our press releases and help spread the word that the WEPF are making the right moves.

Following this press release I will be making a few more announcements today and I will have a few move to announce very soon !

Kind Regards
WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director,
Lee Kendall

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

From the President’s desk

It is now nearly two months on since the conclusion of the World Championships held at the Imperial hotel in Blackpool England and hosted by the English Pool Association for the 27th year running.

The WEPF and its members are very grateful to the EPA for another successful event and the 27 years of massive contribution to the sport by hosting the event in England.

At the AGM of the WEPF on 22 June 2019 the members unanimously voted in favour for the event again to take place at the Imperial Hotel Blackpool in 2020, but also that from 2021 on the WEPF Executive will consider proposals from other countries to host the World Championships in their respective country.

Near the end of the World Championships 2019 a clear majority of members of the WEPF expressed the need for a meeting of the WEPF delegates which was set at the conclusion of the event on Friday the 28th June 2019 at 4pm.

At this meeting the members expressed various issues that they wanted the WEPF Executive to address moving forward, and at the conclusion resulted in the WEPF members giving directive on the following matters.

Changes to the WEPF Executive Committee new committee till the AGM of 2020 to be:-

  • President : Joe Fanto (Australia)
  • Vice President : Zak Shepherd (Wales)
  • Secretary : Paula Landers (England)
  • Treasurer : Vincent Degiorgio (Malta)
  • Marketing & Sponsorship : Lee Kendall (England)

All present expressed a vote of thanks for service rendered to the WEPF to the three outgoing members of the WEPF executive, Mike McDonald, Alan Benton and George Harwood, this was also followed by announcement and applause of thanks at the Award Presentation Night that same evening by some 400 players officials and guests present.

By directive of the delegates present at the meeting also announced at the Award night was the following:-

That the members voted for major change in the way the WEPF promote the game, a new fresh progressive approach.

The WEPF invites proposals from member countries to bid for hosting the World Championships in their respective countries, the World Championships are to move from England from time to time.

Thirdly by directive of the Delegates Meeting it was announced that the WEPF moving forward will welcome all Pool Players nominated by their member country, no matter what other pool discipline they play or what other tournaments they may have entered, all welcome to participate at the WEPF World Championships. (This was received with a massive round of applause by all present.)

10 August 2019 the WEPF had a Skype meeting where it was officially clarified and the decision of the AGM reaffirmed that in 2020 the World Championships will be hosted by the EPA and they will be in Blackpool England.

This enables other countries plenty of time to put a bid for hosting the World Championships in their respective country. It was also decided that bids should be into the WEPF Secretary by the 31 December 2019.

With respect to providing some exciting change and innovation to our World Championships our Marketing and Sponsorship officer Lee Kendall presented us with some new and exciting partnership offers :

For official World Championship Clothing, “Ultimate Team Gear”

New Triangle manufacturer to take the grief out of racking the balls, “The Top Rack”

Sponsor for a proposed new pairs event for Ladies and Men, Jason Owen providing 4 Bespoke Cues

We sincerely thank these new sponsors for coming forward but also are most grateful to our existing long time supporters of the WEPF World Championships Supreme and Strachan.

Other exciting projects in progress are to improve Live Stream, possibility of Television, looking at the technology to improve live scoring both for media and display at the event and currently major improvement and upgrade of our website.

Again thank you to all that took part at the 2019 World Championships as delegates officials or players, and for the tremendous work you do promoting the game throughout the year.

Yours in the Sport of Pool
Joe Fanto
President WEPF
25 August 2019

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great pleasure to announce that the WEPF will continue their long term sponsorship with Strachan and the World Championships for 2020 will now be playing on the new Strachan Superfine Grey cloth.

Strachan Superfine with AntikickTM technology gives you the speed, consistency and control only before experienced by the professionals. The new Strachan Superfine is a genuine innovation. It offers the club or home player the chance to replicate conditions only before experienced by the professional players. It is a light weight but durable, 100% wool, napped cloth that replicates the speed, control and consistency of the Championship No. 10 cloth used for all ranking pro tournaments since 1980, including the World Championships at Sheffield.

The Strachan Superfine is available in 160cm and 193cm and was developed with our partners in snooker and English pool.

For snooker the new Strachan Superfine cloth has been selected by the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) for all of its tournaments in 2019 onwards including the IBSF World Championships.

In English pool, the WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director, Lee Kendall commented: “I strongly believe this cloth will be the future. The general feel, the responsiveness and the quickness put the cloth ahead of any other. Along with the amazing aesthetically looking silver colour giving English 8 ball the unique and distinctive look it as always needed”.

Stuart Gardiner, UK & Ireland Sales Manager for Strachan added: “Today’s players want speed from their cloth but not at the expense of control and response. Other manufacturers make quick cloth but the Superfine, by Strachan, is the only cloth that is fast, whilst offering tournament levels of control. The players are saying that it’s the best napped cloth that they have ever played on”.

Strachan Superfine snooker and pool cloth has AntikickTM technology which has almost eliminated the kick from the professional game and the pool version is treated with SpillGuardTM to protect your investment from accidental drink spillage.

We would personally like to thank Stuart for his hard work over the years and to also thank him for believing in the vision of the WEPF.

Thanks,
Lee Kendall
WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

The WEPF are excited to announce two new events to the 2020 World Championships :

  • The 2020 World Mens Doubles Championships
  • The 2020 World Ladies Doubles Championships

We are also proud to say one of the World leading Cuemakers Jason Owen Cues will be the title sponsor for these two prestigious events.

We feel that this is a great addition to the championships and we hope you embrace it and make it a huge success.

In the first year it will only be the team players that will be allowed to enter. Both players must be from the same country.

Kind Regards
Lee Kendall
WEPF Sponsorship and Marketing Director

"Its a great honour to be involved with the WEPF team by sponsoring the newly born Pairs event. A lot of hard work is going into the Worlds, and im more than happy to support the WEPF and in turn support Pool."

Jason Owen

THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION

New Comittee member

The WEPF Committee have co-opted David MaQuillan onto the WEPF Committee as an interim committee member (non voting).

To help out and call upon when needed.

This to be ratified at the next AGM as per Constitution.

Yours in Sport
Paula Landers
Interim WEPF Secretary