New Structure for U-18 & U-21 Snooker

The Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association will introduce a new system for qualification for the European Under 18 and Under 21 Championships, IBSF World Under 18 and Under 21 Championships and Home International Under 21 Team for the 2017 – 2018 season.

This new system will see our top ranked Irish juniors playing against each other in the same format as International snooker and at the same time hold open events to build up the confidence of the younger aged players to become winners in the future.

This new structure will be guided and overlooked by our National Coach PJ Nolan who will be the Tournament Director at every U-18 & U-21 junior event next season.  Events will start in September and run until December to qualify players from the EBSA Championships. The second qualification will run from January to May to qualify players for the IBSF Championships and the Home Internationals.

RIBSA / EBSA Elite Tour

RIBSA will introduce an Elite Tour where the top 10 underage players from last season’s ranking will play in a league format of 4 frames per match. The players will play three match per day over the three qualifying days to find the qualifiers.

At the end of the three qualifying days, the bottom three players are relegated into the Open Tour while the top 3 on the open tour are promoted to the elite tour for the IBSF qualification.

Qualification

Matches Won

Frames Difference

Head to Head

If Ties – 1 frame Playoff

Qualifying for EBSA Championships

1. Number 1 & 2 on Elite Tour Rankings

2. Highest Junior on Senior Rankings – at cut of point

3. Additional players from Elite Tour Rankings

Entry Fee

The entry fee is a total of €30.00 for the three qualifying events plus Reg €10.00. This must be paid to RIBSA on or before the 29^th of July. After this date the next player on the ranking will be invited into the Elite Tour.

There will be no Elite Tour prize money or trophies as all the Entry fees will be added to the players grant towards the players playing in the upcoming International championships.

All juniors can qualify

All juniors also have a chance to qualify for the EBSA International events through the Senior Rankings as RIBSA will give the highest ranked junior on the senior ranking a qualifying spot for the Championships. This is to encourage more juniors to compete in the senior events.

If the senior rankings highest junior is the same player who qualifies from the Elite Tour Rankings then the Elite Rankings will choose the next qualified player.

RIBSA / EBSA Open Tour

RIBSA will also hold an open tour which will be played on the same day as the Elite Tour and in the same club. This is open to all player not on Elite Tour. This event will be played in a knock out format of best of 5 frames up to and including the final. This open tour will qualify players for the Elite Tour for the next qualification.

The closing date for entries will be the Friday before each event @1pm and the draw will be then published on the ribsa web site at 3pm.

Entry Fee

The entry fee will be €10.00 plus Reg. This can be paid on the day. Trophies will be awarded to the winner, runner up and high break in each of the three ranking events.

RIBSA / IBSF Elite Tour

In January RIBSA will invite the top 7 players from Elite Tour plus the top 3 players from the Open Tour to play in a league format of 4 frames per match. The players will play three match per day over the three qualifying days to find the qualifier or qualifiers.

At the end of the three qualifying days, the bottom three players are relegated into the Open Tour for the next season while the top 3 on the open tour are promoted to the elite tour for the following season.

Qualification

Matches Won

Frames Difference

Head to Head

If Ties – 1 frame Playoff

Entry Fee

The entry fee is a total of €30.00 for the three qualifying events plus Reg €10.00. This must be paid to RIBSA on or before the 29^th of July. After this date the next player on the ranking will be invited into the Elite Tour.

There will be no Elite Tour prize money or trophies as all the Entry fees will be added to the players grant towards them playing in the upcoming championships.

All juniors can qualify

All juniors will also have a chance to qualify for the IBSF International events through the Senior Rankings as RIBSA will give the highest ranked junior on the senior ranking a qualifying spot for the Championships. This is to encourage more juniors to compete in the senior events.

If the senior rankings highest junior is the same player who qualifies from the Elite Tour Rankings then the Elite Rankings will choose the next qualified player.

Qualifying for IBSF Championships

1. National U-21 & U-18 National Champion

2. Number 1 on Elite Tour Rankings

3. Highest U-21 / U-18 Junior on Senior Rankings – at end of season

4. Additional players from Elite Tour Rankings

RIBSA / IBSF Open Tour

RIBSA will also hold an open tour which will be played on the same day as the Elite Tour and in the same club. This is open to any other player to enter. This event will be played in a knock out format of best of 5 frames up to and including the final. This open tour will qualify players for the Elite Tour for the next qualification.

The closing date for entries will be the Friday before each event @1pm and the draw will be then published on the ribsa web site at 3pm.

Entry Fee

The entry fee will be €10.00 plus Reg. This can be paid on the day. Trophies will be awarded to the winner, runner up and high break in each of the three ranking events.

The 2018 Home International Under 21 Team

Qualifying for Home Internationals

1. National U-21 National Champion

3. Highest U-21 Junior on Senior Rankings

2. Number 1 on Elite Tour Rankings

4. Additional players from Elite Tour Rankings

If you need more information email info@ribsa.ie