Young pool player’s rapid rise

A year ago, Jordan Collis was bored and started playing pool on a camping ground table, now he’s preparing to take on the best young players in the country.

His father Mark took him to Club Waimea in Richmond and he not only enjoyed the game, but people started telling him he was a natural.

“After that, I started playing with lots of people at the club and kept getting better. It is all about controlling the white ball because if you want to clear the table, you need to have control in this game,” declares Jordan.

“He’s gone from not being able to hold a cue properly to competing with top players,” beams dad.

He had to take on older members because he was the only junior there, but Club Waimea Pool Section president, Gina Grimwood, hopes his success will lead to other youngsters taking up the game.

“The junior section needs depth. We have to encourage and teach younger players about the rules and technique. It is a unisex sport too,” says the former national ladies pool champion, who saw potential in Jordan immediately.

“He has always cued straight, has lovely table etiquette, can play for hours and has that hungry look in his eyes,” enthuses Gina, who regularly “spars” with Jordan in training. “He beats me far too often,” she quips.

Jordan has agreed to help with a junior development programme for boys and girls at Club Waimea.

The Waimea College student insists whenever he makes a foul, he calls it.

“Even if it is just a touch. Honesty is the best policy, something I have been taught at the club.”

Jordan estimates he plays and trains up to 20 hours a week. Dad reckons it is double that.

“He can’t get enough of this. People like Gina and other senior club players put their hand up to help him along, they have been really supportive,” says Mark.

His son already has a signature shot, a screw back.

“You hit the ball, and it comes flying back. I think I play it a bit too much though,” concedes the young cueist, who has also taken up snooker. “Pool is more social and snooker more serious.”

While he has been to Christchurch to compete, the Clubs NZ Junior 8-Ball National Championship in Auckland will pit him against players under 18.

“It is all fun and experience.”

It is expensive though from his Nelson base, so sponsorship is being sought to help get Jordan and Mark to the 13-15 April tournament.