Goldfields eight-ball veteran Grant Weekley hopes years of major tournament experience will hold him in good stead in the masters division of the 2023 world championships in Agadir, Morocco from July 2-11.
Weekley is no stranger to major competitions in a career spanning nearly 40 years.
The 56-year-old launched his competitive career in Adelaide aged 17 and boasts a wealth of experience that includes numerous selections for Australia and the 2021 Masters national singles championship.
In 2013, he was a member of the South Australian team that claimed the national teams championship.
“I’m hitting the ball OK,” Weekley said this week.
“Most recently, I’ve been to the State Country carnival and got through to the quarter-finals of the singles.
“That was a reasonable preparation and I’ve been priming myself a bit for this (tournament).”
Weekley makes his debut at the WEBF world titles after several appearances at the international blackball equivalent.
“I’ll fly out from Perth on June 29 and get there (Agadir) on June 30 which gives me two days to acclimatise,” he said.
“Ideally, you’d like a bit more time, but it’s a costly exercise and we all work for a living.
“We (Australia) have a strong team that suggests we’ll do quite well and certainly with a decent chance to pick-up some silverware.
“You’re always keen to do well and your own expectations brings on a bit of additional pressure, let alone trying to do well on behalf of your teammates as well.
“But the past five or six years especially has meant quite a lot of tournaments for me and hopefully that holds me in reasonable stead.”
Weekley moved to Kalgoorlie-Boulder four years ago and lined up at last year’s World Black-Ball Championships in Paris.
He represented Australia in blackball in 2018 and 2019 and has played at world championships in regular two-shot eight ball, alongside son Kane.
The Australian Eight Ball Federation will host the 2024 WEBF world championships in Albury, NSW.