The International Professional Pool Players Association (IPA) will be staging the English Amateur Championships at the Bradford Hilton Hotel over the weekend of 8^th to 10^th June, the next event in a long list of quality prestigious competitions that are taking the cue sports world by storm.

You could be forgiven for thinking that this is the poor relation to the weekend’s main event, the English Open Championship, but that would be
an error with do much to play for as well as the prize fund!

The chase is on at the top of the rankings to capture the coveted Number One spot, and as things stand it is new 8-ball sensation Giuseppe D’Imperio who is leading the way. Few would have guessed that this quiet young man would be challenging for honours this season, but the rankings suggest otherwise and we could have a new young superstar on our hands.

Following the magnificent performance of Lee Anderson to take his first title at our last event (the UK Championships), he is statistically the main challenger thanks to his number two ranking, while no one should be naïve enough to write off the chances of the likes of Max Nosko, Daniel Davy, Rob Southey and (returning from his 9 Ball career), Scott Higgins.

As well as the kudos and bragging rights of the number one spot, there is also the challenge for all these players to retain their place in the top eight which automatically provides entry into the “best of the best” event at the close of the season – so there is plenty to play for in Bradford and beyond.

The English Amateur Championship is supported by On Q Promotions, and players will enjoy the outstanding facilities provided to them by our sponsors including DPT tables, Strachan cloth and the world’s leading cue sport ball manufacturer, Aramith.

We invite all players and fans to visit us during the weekend’s championships where entry is free of charge with play commencing on Saturday 9^th June 4pm, and the final of the English Amateur taking place Sunday afternoon – though for those who cannot attend, live internet streaming will be available free of charge via our website (ww.ipapooltour.com), or why not get results and comment directly via Twitter (@ipa8ballpool).