AFTER more than 30 years of playing pool Peel Pool Association player Steve Hale will attend the World 8-Ball Pool Championship in Blackpool, England for the first time.
The 53-year-old was selected as the sole Western Australian in the six-man Australian Masters team after good form with WA at the National Titles.
Before the World 8-Ball Pool Championship from June 17-30, Hale is also set to compete in a triangular series with South Africa and Malta in Malta.
“I’m ecstatic, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Hale, a PPA committee member, moved to Mandurah four months ago to be closer to his father after the passing of his mother after a long affiliation playing pool at the Craigie Sport and Social Club.
In Mandurah Hale said he upped his training, practising for two to three hours a day.
“I had a real determination to make the Worlds,” he said.
“I thought it might be my last chance.
“I said to my [WA] team captain I really wanted to make the World team, he said not to put so much pressure on myself.”
However, Hale said that determination, something he may not of had previously, paid off.
“I made sure I concentrated 100 per cent on every shot; it can be the easy shots you miss because you take it lightly,” he said.
Despite not previously making a World team, the 8-Ball veteran has had a successful career that has spanned close to 40 years.
Hale said he still remembers winning his first competition as a 15-year-old at the Karrinyup Shopping Centre.
“I won a pool cue from that,” he said.
“The next year my family didn’t go on a holiday and bought a pool table.”
Hale said from there he had always enjoyed playing pool.
“I like the strategy side of it,” he said.
“Every game is different; once you break the balls can be anywhere.”
Hale's biggest achievement to date came in 1992 when he won the state singles title.
More recently Hale was a part of the WA side that won the National Masters’ Title in 2012 and 2013.
Hale is seeking the communities help to assist with the cost of competing at the World Championships.
Hale said he has a team shirt which sponsors' logos can be sewn onto.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Hale or donating can email shale1961@hotmail.com