Sam Bond practises his snooker at home this week. Photo by
Sally Rae.
North Otago youngster Sam Bond is off to play snooker in
Iran.
The Waitaki Boys High School pupil has been selected to play
for New Zealand at the International Billiards and Snooker
Federation's world under-21 snooker championships in Iran in
July.
Bond's selection was confirmed after he finished second in
the national under-21 championships in Hastings last month.
He will be joined in the team by David Meier-Bailey, of
Napier, and Shannon Swain, of Gore.
Bond (17) will be playing No 3 in the team, and was selected
for the side because of his potential as New Zealand usually
only sends two players to the championships.
He started playing snooker at 11, influenced by his cousin,
Jason Todd, who also represented his country at under-21
level.
Bond admitted there was plenty of practice ahead and there
was plenty of improvement needed in his game.
The hardest battle would be trying to control his nerves
against some classy players.
Players from Europe and Asia are expected to be the most
formidable opponents.
Hockey was Bond's other sport but would have to be sacrificed
in the coming weeks as he concentrated on snooker.
Michael Wilson is another player from North Otago who has
been picked for the international tournament in recent years.
Bond will continue his tune-up this weekend, competing in the
the City of Invercargill Open tournament.
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