Spending all your free time playing the sport you love can pay back handsome dividends.
Just ask Ashley Daniels, a 28-year-old resident from Macassar who was selected to represent South Africa at the International Eight Ball Championships to be held in Blackpool, England in June.
Daniels won the top South African open’s champion title during the South African pool event last October and is very excited to represent his community and country.
In 2008 Daniels (then 13) was selected as the Gehard Pool Club’s under-18 top player of the year. In April 2014, he received his Boland colours when he represented the Central Boland under-18 team at the SA Under-18 and Under- 21 Pool Championships, played at Graceland Casino in Secunda. At this event he helped his team win the prestigious SA under-18 team title. In 2015, Daniels was selected to represent SA in the UK and walked away as the 10th best player in the world.
Over the years, he won numerous trophies, medals and certificates. He played for various teams in different leagues. At present he belongs to a team in Strand, called The Chosen Ones. It was during these matches that he was chosen to compete in the International Eight Ball Championships last September, which was held at the Miway Brands Venue in Bellville.
Daniels played with a positive mindset. He participated in the quarter-finals and went through to the semi-finals. With his family at home watching the game, he delivered his best performance and won against his opponent.
He ended as the top opens player in the SA Pool Championships.
According to Daniels, he has been playing pool since age eight, and he has spent just about all his free time either practising by himself or playing matches against whoever he could.
His mother Sharon, an employee at The Smiling Oven in Gants Centre, said the family is extremely proud of Daniels and of his selection to the SA team.
“I always say that the ball is round and that anyone can win,” Daniels humbly said.
He has actually been barred from certain social venues with pool tables as he always wins. But that hasn’t deterred his commitment as he practices as often as he can with the aim of perfecting his game. “I look up to players like Chris Melling and Mick Hill, and I want to be as successful as they have been. I know I can do it and go all the way,” he added.
However, for Daniels to get to England in June, he needs to raise R44 000 for travelling, accommodation and related expenses.
If anyone is able to help him with a sponsorship or funds, contact him on 066 324 4519 or Sharon on 021 853 4179 during office hours.
