The Republic of Ireland Ladies Snooker Association held their Annual General Meeting recently at their Academy Sharkx Newbridge.

The RILSA Chairman Dan Carroll, gave a comprehensive report on the 2021/2022 season.  Dan said “that RILSA was moving in the right direction after yet another very successful season culminating with the Minister for Sport Catherine Martin officially opening the National Cue sports Academy here in Sharkx Newbridge where she gave a speech outlining her full support to RILSA and the work done in advancing female cue sports with the facilities and the help of funding by the National Lottery and the Sports Capital Grant program. Giving the situation with Covid-19. we managed to hold most of our events during the season when restrictions were eased, in particular our National Billiard events were fully completed while a National Ranking event along with the Primary School, Special Needs and U21’s had to be cancelled, however we hope to see a return to competition very soon”

Dave Earle gave a great report outlining the success of our association over the past season, much of which you will see from the following.

The following points show the growth and success of RILSA during the season.

  1. The Association has seen some 712 females join our organisation since 2014.
  2. Maintained our membership of 600 members
  3. 410 Women & Girls participated in RILSA events since 2014
  4. 58 Women & Girls participated in RILSA events in the 2021/2022 season
  5. The Inaugural National Billiards League was a great success and this League will now become an annual event.
  6. RILSA have a full Calendar of Events that includes all promotional initiatives introduced over the past 8 years.
  7. RILSA is the busiest female cue sports organisation in the World, with events every week.
  8. Dan Carroll along with the help of Chris Coumbe at the WBL held two successful World Women’s Billiards Rankings at our Academy with the Irish Open and Masters where Annette Newman our current Billiards Champion reach both finals against the World Champion Anna Lynch.
  9. A Team of 5 players, Annette Newman, Joanna Ward, Tina Keogh, Christine Carr and Stephanie Foley entered the first Women’s European Open Billiards in Leeds Uk and again our girls played well and did us proud.  Annette reached the semi final of the event and is now the highest ever World Ranked female player from Ireland at number 3, a great achievement for her.
  10. Ireland and RILSA will host the World Women’s Billiards Championship on 20th and 21st August 2022 for the very first time in the history of female billiards.  We are delighted to be given this opportunity by WBL.
  11. A National Women’s Snooker League has just finished and the results will be published soon.
  12.  Our second Horizon Snooker Scholarship was put in place to the value of €3,200 that will see 2 players who will have free snooker coaching and table time at Sharkx Newbridge for one year.  Out of 11 applications which we were delighted to receive, we eventually selected the following for the Scholarship,  Joanna Ward (Kildare) and Jennifer Earle (Dublin)  we wish both girls every good wishes and best of luck as they journey through this fantastic opportunity to advance their skills and enjoyment of cue sports.  A big thank you to Paul & Bernie of Sharkx for providing table time to these girls who will benefit greatly.
  13. The new RILSA Academy at Sharkx is now complete and looks fantastic, a huge thanks to Paul for all his hard work decorating and getting the academy up to a first class standard, thanks to Ger Dunphy on securing the tables and equipment along with installing the tables.

The RILSA Board Members worked hard all season and our success is all due to their input during the season and the Chairman thanked both the Board and Committee of RILSA for all their help and support.

The RILSA Referees Panel were represented at events during the season and we thank them for all their help and support.

The Board of RILSA want to thank all of you our members and supporters along with all our Schools, Youth reach Centres and all of our other locations across Ireland, for your kind help and support and participation during the past season and we look forward to seeing you all in the 2022-2023 season ahead.  Thanks also to our clubs that have supported and welcomed our players to our many events during the past season, D’Arcy McGees Dublin, Sharkx Newbridge, CYMS Newbridge, Celbridge Snooker Club, and the Royal Navan.

The RILSA Website has been very successful with thousands of visits and we thank all of you our supporters and well wishers very much for your loyal commitment and support towards female cue sports.

Elections

There were no elections as the Board and committees have already been elected in 2020 for a three year period, the current Board and committees will continue their great work on behalf of female cue sports.

A number of proposals on a Transgender policy were submitted and discussed at the AGM, one of which will be finalised soon.  Social Media and Membership proposals were submitted and will be updated

Please continue to visit our website for all the latest news and updates..

www.rilsa.ie