Report on the Scottish Eightball Pool Federation by George Harwood President E.E.P.F.
| It was a privilege to be invited to chair the Annual General Meeting of the SEPF on 7th Feb. As President of the European Eightball Pool Federation, my visit was to meet with the members to discuss the recent financial irregularities within the SEPF, and to give the members of the Federation an opportunity to ask and receive answers to their concerns. Whilst recognising the financial problems, which are currently being investigated through the Police and legal system, my principle function is to help resolve the situation and put our Scottish Federation back into the strong position it has held in the not too distant past. The financial problems are down to two areas, dishonesty which happens when we all put our trust in people in responsible positions, but also down to mismanagement which is this case is down to the inexperience of the senior officials of the federation. The dishonesty is inexcusable and deserves whatever the legal system gives to the wrongdoer, the second will be resolved by support from the EEPF, helping the elected committee members, for the next year to give them the benefit of our experience gained over the last 30 years. I will personally attend all committee meetings during the coming year, we have already held an executive meeting and a further meeting will be planned within the next two weeks. Minutes of the A.G.M. have already been circulated and details of the happenings at executive meetings will also be sent out to the membership, to keep them informed of our progress. |
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| THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. | |
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There have been problems within the SEPF during the past year, no point in denying such, but the important thing is that even with such problems the country was still able to send players for Four of the Five events played at the European Championships held last week in England. Ian Moffat reached the semi-finals of the over 50's, the under 21's were beaten in the final, mens "A" and mens "B"and the ladies all reached the semi's, AND THE FEDERATION IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN A CRISIS. -- SOME CRISIS. |
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 Scotland Under 21's European Championships Runners Up 2010 |
 Scotlands Over 50's Ian Moffat and Mike McHale |
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If this is what can be achieved when the federation is not doing well, it does not take a genius to see the potential when we are running on all cylinders. I believe with the support of the A.G.M. which had a record attendance for the last 5 years, the immediate future is already looking good. Many had justifiably attended to criticise and they were entitled to, but by the end of the meeting all were firmly behind sorting the problems. Six executive members have been appointed, Scott Kennedy and Karin Burt were in office previously and have been strengthened by the likes of Derek Ahern a founder member of the SEPF, plus Ian Moffat, Mike Clark and Jamie Gregory, plus myself to give advice and guidance. Ian Moffat the new treasurer has already opened up a new account and new procedures will be introduced immediately to ensure that the recent problems cannot ever again occur. Executive meetings will be held every 6 weeks and the members will receive details of what occurred at those meetings. The database has been updated and members will receive information on a regular basis. I have already started discussions with potential sponsors based on holding national and regional events for the membership. No longer will the membership wait until the next A.G.M. for information and details of what the executive are organising, these will be available every 6 weeks and that will be my main function to ensure that we keep to our word. |
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| THE NEXT STEP. | |
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The strength of the SEPF has always been from the Aberdeen area, they were the pioneers and they have provided the support to build up the Federation. Dundee and Fife are now equally involved and they again are invaluable to the SEPF. There are events being held in the above areas which have proved very successful in the past and the introduction of a "World Rules Tour" in the Aberdeen area which is about to commence is already nearly fully subscribed for the coming year. No longer are we interested in just having what is a major part of Scotland, we want ALL of Scotland to join the Federation and move the semi-final places at recent championships into the winners enclosure. For those leagues or players who are seeking to help develop the Scottish Eightball Pool Federation, you are most welcome, please contact the secretary for details. And do not worry about being banned by other organisations, together we will give everyone plenty of events to keep your players interested, there will be events for all levels. Including the chance for your top players to play for their country, the next big event is the World Championships in July, which has £ 31,000 prize fund and 75 hours on BSKYB, and next February we go to Malta for the Europeans. It is very likely that the Home Internationals will be re-commenced this year or next and Scotland will be seriously considered as the host nation for the event. Perhaps it has taken a crisis to wake up the giant which is the SEPF, well, they are awake and determined to move forward, it is hoped you will join us. We do not promise everything will happen overnight, but it will happen, look out for our progress over the coming year and preferably as a member of the Federation. |
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