The Illawarra region is gateway to the beautiful south
coast of New South Wales, about an hours drive south of Sydney. Having a
diverse multicultural population of 150-200,000, the city of Wollongong has
evolved around Bluescope Steel’s Port Kembla Steelworks.
Southern suburbs encircle the
expansive Lake Illawarra, other towns nestle along the coast and escarpment for
approx 50km. Mild winters and warm/hot summers make for an outdoor lifestyle,
with many sports represented.
Billiards and snooker have been played in the Illawarra for
many years. Not a great deal is known of the pre war era, but an interclub
snooker competition was played up until 1954. Involved at the time were
Wollongong Workers, Thirroul RSL and the still surviving Wollongong and
Corrimal RSL Clubs - Wollongong and Woonona School of Arts also fielded teams.
The
IB&SA we know today commenced in 1963 and currently has approx 360 members
spread over five snooker and three billiards divisions.
Some
of Illawarra's finest players of the early years were: Harry Craig, Bob
Bartlett, Sid Rudkin, Stan Page, Ron Chapman, Don Targett, Sid Jones, Ron
Cowan, Jack Morgan, Jock Alexander and undoubtedly the best player Illawarra
has ever produced - Don Spence.
Anne
Green has dominated Illawarra ladies snooker since the seventies, winning state
and national titles along the way.
Some good local cueists of recent times are Stuart Duncan, Darren Martin, Mick Hough, Phil Miller, Tyson Crinis, Gary Coventry, Rod Hart, Chris Staples and Selwyn Yates. To see more photos of the players above and other players click here.
