Billiards: young Normans monopolize the trophies

Elected in 2020 for four years, President Philippe Lebourgeois first advocates the opening “far from the clubs where you have to be co-opted”: “Here, after the health crisis, what has allowed clubs like that of Rouen and ‘Argentan to win 25 and 20 licensees, including a majority of beginners. This is unheard of for this sport, which physically allows you to do gentle gymnastics and is excellent for the neurons. It offers the possibility of working on visual memory and, as with chess, you have to memorize moves and recall points”.

Thus, the Loverian Joshua Ty, now 19 years old, started in 2016 following an initiation during the sports night. In the 2nd year of BTS, he never let go of his tail again: “I immediately liked the effects, the angles to take. I persevered until I came every evening after school and every day during the holidays. I also took lessons on Friday evenings at the BACL (Billard Amical Club Lovérien). Now I am the one giving them”. Noticed, the Eurois is quickly involved in competitions and its spirit of winning corresponds to this sport. He developed his skills to become four times champion of France (Cadet, by team with Pont-à-Mousson, Cadre 47/2 Junior) in as many years, the last of which last February in Dijon in Free Junior. Two months later, Joshua Ty also won the Bronze medal at the European Free Junior Championship in Desio, Italy. Achievements noticed since the city of Louviers paid tribute to him on May 12 during the evening of the Printemps des talents.

The women present but still few in number

Among the newcomers to the sport, half are young players and some women, thanks to accessible licenses. “Since September 2021, in some clubs, we have been offering reserved slots for women, because they still have difficulty associating in this environment which has remained masculine for a very long time. And, for young people, twelve clubs have opened schools for cadets, from 10 to 17 years old, and juniors, from 17 to 21 years old, ”explains Philippe Lebourgeois. Thus, they can pass the bronze, silver and gold levels and participate in competitions: “they are surrounded by qualified coaches who are also great champions, such as Vincent Faquet, Johann Petit or Alexian Legret. Since this establishment, six young people have entered the category of Hopes. Soon, they will also be sponsored by the Normandy region,” adds Philippe Lebourgeois.

And it pays! Erwann Herrebrecht, from Rouen (Seine-Maritime), won the title of French Junior 5-pin Champion in April plus a bronze medal at the European 3-Cushion Biathlon Championship. Arthur Picard, from Oissel (near Rouen), won the French Free Cadet Championship, the bronze medal at the French Frame 47/2 Junior Championship and the same metal in the European Free Junior Championship. At the Rouen Club Billard, the Legendre brothers have once again distinguished themselves. Charles, at 14, became vice-champion of France Libre Cadets while Nathan, at 19, won the French Frame 47/2 Junior Championship, the France Band N3 Championship and above all became the new European Free Champion. Junior.