A new chapter for women’s 8-ball pool will begin this weekend at The Grand Hotel in Blackpool with the opening events in the 2022 Ultimate Pool Women’s Series.
An exciting and important addition to the Ultimate Pool circuit, the Series aims to raise the profile of the women’s game with record-breaking prize funds and extensive coverage, including live television for the final of each main event. The Women’s Series also provides a pathway to Ultimate Pool’s professional circuit, with the top ranked player at the end of 2022 joining Emma Cunningham on the sport’s top tier in 2023.
Due to overwhelming interest, the capacity for the inaugural Women’s Series has been increased from the numbers originally planned for. A total of 84 of the world’s best women cueists will travel to the seaside resort later this week, aiming to get their 2022 campaigns off to a flying start.
In total, this year’s Women’s Series has an overall prize fund of over £32,000. For full tournament details, please visit its tournament page here.
A Star Cast
A seriously impressive field will assemble for the 2022 Ultimate Pool Women’s Series which features several major champions and a host of players that have represented their countries in major international competition.
It will be a very busy year for Northern Ireland’s Cunningham as she’ll compete on both the Professional and Women’s Series’. Already one of the sport’s all-time greats with four world and European titles – across different rulesets – to her name, Cunningham is excited about the impact of the new Series.
Cunningham – who recently recorded two wins against male opposition on live TV in the Vinny.co.uk Champions League - said “The Ultimate Pool Group has taken the pool world by storm! The fact we have 84 ladies competing is really quite special.
With the live TV and professional status opportunities added, the strength and depth of the field is world-class and will be entertaining for all. I cannot wait for the Women’s Series to start and watch as we see the female game grow and get more competitive from here.”
Recently crowned as a world ladies champion within the sport, Harriet Haynes has been one of the most consistent players of recent times.
Haynes is also committed to the new circuit and is thrilled about what lies ahead: “I’m extremely excited for the upcoming Ultimate Pool Women’s Series. It’s just a further step forward in bringing the ladies game alongside the men’s game. The UPG is providing those stepping stones for people like myself to try and achieve the highest possible position in our sport - a professional spot alongside the best players in the world.
They’ve given amazing support to Emma – who is a fantastic flag bearer for our game – so far, so you know they really are thinking of the ladies' game in general. Any opportunity to play in front of the cameras will be welcomed immensely by the women on the tour."
Several other big names are set to be on the baize in Blackpool including another one of the sport’s current world champions, Amy Beauchamp, and former world champions Deb Burchell and Mika Roonay. Former European champions Leanne Cragg, Sharon James and Kim O’Brien are also in the draw.
The draw for this weekend's Women's Series can be found under the Live Scoring tab.
