Tourneys
Topic: APN Leagues Regionals

Does anyone else think it strange that the "Northern" event be played in Northampton? Id imagine most people in Manchester, Darlington and Leicester considering Northampton to be more south!

We had to choose somewhere that was geographically convenient for our national structure, and take players travel considerations into account etc, and Northampton fits the bill perfectly (I know you can't please everyone!). For this year only Rileys St. Albans are in the "Northern" section to balance player numbers at each venue. Next year will have at least 4 Regional Championships, hopefully more...Watch this space!!

So in other words the Northern event is in Northampton cos St. Albans has been put into the north!

Take St. Albans out of the equasion and suddenly does Northampton look as convenient for the rest?

lizeizfab - I'm a northerner myself but live in St Albans. So I for one, don't mind playing the everyone from up north whilst staying south.

Besides like Kingoftherack says, its only for this year to even up numbers. C'mon support the APN, it's just starting and is the future of grassroots 9-ball, which leads towards the BPPPA tour and general growth of the 9-ball game.

Andy has done a very good job with the APN, so go easy on him.

Cheers

Whether APN is the "future of grassroots 9-ball" is opinion mate. However im not knocking APN, im a member myself, im just asking about the location of the event(s). Its a relevant question i feel. For example if i were to set up a league in Carlise i might be dubious about affiliating to a body that runs its "Northern" event somewhere between the East Midlands and East Anglia.

What about Leeds, Barnsley, Manchester, Stockport, Doncaster Riley's, all in the North. St Albans is not the North?

What Northern clubs are in store for next season?

APN-Leagues fully launched in May 2006 with 11 leagues across the UK, the majority of these leagues were in the South of England yet we still wanted to run at least two regional championships. To make it fair we had to even the numbers for the two regionals. Otherwise there would have been more spots available in the south than the north.

Yes it is unfortunate that St Albans are in the Northern section but I will point out that we have not had one complaint at all from ANY APN-Leagues players (Lifeisfab is not a league player).

The essence is to play pool not to moan about it. St Albans geographic region being changed for this year is only for this year, we will be launching new leagues in October (watch this space - as there will be quite a few) and this will mean a more uniform spread across the UK.

As a tournament/league promoter I should not have to qualify my reasons when every player playing in the system is really enjoying doing so and have not complained at all about the regional championships. Players should be happy that quality and structured events with a bigger picture are available and should jump at the chance of playing.

In this first year we will have paid out in the region of £10000 in prize money at an amateur level.

So unless you have any constructive comments about APN-Leagues and the future of grass-roots 9-ball then please refrain from tainting our name with unintelligent posts, ask for the facts first. We are very transparent and have always done what we have said we would do.

Now get on and play pool!


Pete Williams
Founder - American Pool Network

No ones saying its a bad event, or that APN isnt good, but its still a relevant question regardless of opinion. And people will always have an opinion whether you like it or not! Im also a pool event organiser so ive had all these same questions passed in my direction previously.

To say "Why is a Northern event in Northampton?" is an unintelligent post is quite ridiculous actually but i suppose you're entitled to your opinion, as i stated.

Dear APN

I was wondering will you be holding again another APN Invitational event...with qulifiers etc... like you did in 2005 which Marcus Chamat won?

No plans to at the moment Simsman.

Darren - apologies for the "unintelligent" comment, as you can probably tell I was a little fired up. However, Myself and Kingoftherack have answered the query and explained why it has happened. Those travelling from Manchester/Leicester/Darlington have not complained as they understand that next year (with the influx of new leagues) that the regionals will be nearer and more region specific.

The only realgripe that I have is that you ask these questions in a public forum to try to draw attention to them and that they are actual questions directed to us the organisers. I have always been open about my/APN's plans and have no issue with anyone calling and asking the number is 0800 781 9302.

Why would it have to be a "gripe" to see questions asked in a public forum? Thats what the internet is for. Anyway thanks for replying, maybe next year my league will join in