The 2024 Australian National Snooker Championship has been won by Steve Mifsud - for a record 11th time - in an amazing display of skill, professionalism and “coolness under pressure”!
Steve Mifsud has been setting the standard for Australian Snooker Players, especially in this Championship, for nearly 25 years, and the other 7 Quarter-Finalists have all recognised this, and aspired to “be like Steve”.
And they are!
The QF between Kurt Dunham and Vinnie Calabrese showcased the manner in which the Sport of Snooker can be incredibly cruel, in “the run of the balls”, and yet, both Kurt and Vinnie showed unbelievable Calmness and Character to produce a Sporting Contest to live long in our memories!
Xavier Daw showed his “coming of age” in reaching the QF, and Shaun Dalitz required all of his experience and skill to win that match. Adrian Ridley lost his QF to Steve, however, as a previous Champion, he has already shown his Champion qualities.
Steve Hanna had an extremely interrupted time coming into the Tournament, and to reach the QF shows he is “made of stern stuff”. Cale Barrett was able to overcome Steve Hanna because of all the lessons he has taken from watching and playing in this Championship.
Australian Snooker has a wealth of talent coming through to overtake the “Record-setting” Champion, and the Organisers, Officials, Sponsors, and Partners, involved, should be rightly proud of their participation , commitment, and all their efforts.
Her Excellency, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, and Patron of the VBSA, attended the Final, as a guest of the VBSA, and showed a real interest in the players, and our Sport.
The VBSA is extremely grateful to all.
All members should have read, understood and agree to abide by the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, effective from 1 January 2021, and found on the Sport Integrity Australia website being the anti-doping policy adopted by The Australian Billiards & Snooker Council and applicable to all members, participants and non-participants.