Regional bragging rights up for grabs at annual invitational

VICTORIA’S largest regional eight-ball pool event begins today (Friday, August 2) and is set to welcome beginner to intermediate players from all over the state to Slate Lounge in Geelong’s CBD.

Now in its third year, the Slate Pool Invitational will invite more than 280 players, who will compete over three days to fight for divisional success.

Slate Pool Lounge owner and event co-organiser Johl Younger said the buzz leading up to today’s start had been as high as it had been since the inaugural invitational was held in 2022.

“The response has again been overwhelming, the numbers and the increase in players has left us stoked,” he said.

“With those players come friends and family, so I would estimate thousands of people will come through the doors over the three days; it’s going to be massive this year.

“There will be a lot of pool played over the weekend, so there’s plenty of action to take in as well – it’s certainly our biggest weekend of the year.”

Today’s action will feature individual play before tomorrow (Saturday, August 3) and Sunday’s proceedings host the team events from as early as 9am.

While the players will be competing for regional bragging rights within their divisions, Mr Younger said the event was free for spectators to enjoy the action.

Mr Younger, who assists co-ordinator and player Colin Smith in running the event, is astounded by the growth it has garnered and maintained over the past two years.

“Colin does do a lot of the work if I’m honest, it’s his brainchild, he came up with it four years ago and he’s done an awesome job growing it and sustaining it,” Mr Younger said.

“A big shoutout to the City of Greater Geelong as well for jumping on board as a sponsor again this year, they have certainly helped with getting the word out there this year as well.

“We’re also locking away potential sponsors for an event to take place in the middle of next year, it would be our first pro event here at Slate and it would provide a massive boon to the pool community here in the region featuring professional talent.”

In June, Slate held Australia’s largest ever intermediate pool championship event, featuring $64,000 in prize money.

Teams from areas such as Geelong, Surf Coast, Ballarat, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Albury, Portland and more have already been confirmed for the invitational.

For more information, head to geelong.link/SlatePoolChallenge