WORLD POOL ASSOCIATION

ABOUT

The World Pool Association (WPA) is the international governing body for pool (pocket billiards), dedicated to promoting and regulating the sport of pool worldwide.  Formed in 1987, the WPA is headed by a board of directors consisting of representatives from Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America with a commitment to fostering fair play, sportsmanship, and excellence for all pool players. The WPA is a founding member of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), which is the International Federation recognised by the IOC for billiards sports and accordingly covers all major cue sports.

OUR BOARD

PRESIDENT

Ishaun Singh
South Africa

VICE PRESIDENT

Shane Tyree
North America

GENERAL SECRETARY

Jorgen Sandman
Sweden

MEDIA DIRECTOR

Stuart Rogers
Australia

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Melvin Chia
Malaysia

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Javiera Rivera
South America

PLAYER AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

Kelly Fisher
Great Britain

WPA LIFE MEMBERS

Mr Horst Vondenhoff (Germany)

Mr Yung-Hui Tu (Taiwan)

Mr Kazuo Fujima (Japan)

ORGANOGRAM

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IOC International Olympic Committee

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WCBS World Confederation of Billiard Sports

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UMB Union Mondiale de Billiard

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IBSF International Billiards & Snooker Federation

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WPA World Pool-Billiard Association

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AAPA All Africa Pool Association – Africa

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ACBS Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports – Asia

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BCA Billiard Congress of America – North America

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CPB Confederation Panamerica of Billiards – South America

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EPBF European Pocket Billiard Federation – Europe

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OPBA Oceania Pocket Billiard Association – Oceania

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IHPA International Heyball Pool Association

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BI Blackball International

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IPA International Professional Pool Association

WPA CONSTITUTION

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1987

The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) is the international governing body for pocket billiards. The group was formed in Germany in November of 1987, as a result of the efforts of the European Pocket Billiard Federation. The Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU) was formed shortly after, and became the second member of the WPA.

1990 – 1999

North America became the third member in 1990 and Oceania joined in 1992. The Australasian Pool Association represented Oceania in the WPA until 1999, until it was replaced by the Oceania Pocket Billiard Association (OPBA). It was also in 1999 that the Confederacion Panamerican de Billar (CPB) and the All African Pool Association (AAPA) joined the WPA and based upon this the WPA truly represents all corners of the world. The current WPA president is Ian Anderson of Australia.

1990 – 1999

The WPA is also one of the three member organizations of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), representing the billiard disciplines of pool, snooker and carom. The WCBS is the international umbrella organization that is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

After having had European Championships as the highest level of competition for many years, and being aware of the fact that many events were organized in the United States, many of the European players were becoming dissatisfied with the development of the sport in Europe and yearned for competition on a higher level. With knowledge of this, the idea came about to form a world organization.

2011 – NOW

WPA tournaments have grown considerably. In addition to the World 9-Ball Championships for men, women and juniors, there is an annual World 8-Ball Championship for men, World 10-Ball Championships for both men and women, along with several World Ranking events that are conducted each year in all parts of the globe. In 2011 more than 3 million dollars in prize money will be awarded to players through these competitions.