A CHAMPION Cowdenbeath pool player is cueing up for more success after being selected to play for Scotland in a prestigious tournament.

Kim Marshall (26), of Blamey Crescent, will play in the European Blackball Association Nations Cup of Pool event in Killarney, Republic of Ireland, from 2nd-7th September before turning her attention to the UK Open in Carlisle the following weekend.

Talented potter Kim, who also plays for the Silver Birch team and is a committee member of the Cowdenbeath league, took up the sport when she was 15 and first represented her country five years later.

She won the Scottish singles title in 2012 under the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) rules (often called “World Rules”) and is now aiming to transfer a track record of success into the blackball variation of the game, which has slight rule differences to the WEPF.

She said, “I’ve been playing since I was 15 after school, and then I was constantly playing after I left school. I just wanted to play pub pool but someone told me to try and play for Scotland’s ladies, and I was 20 when I first played for Scotland. My first tournament was the Scottish singles but no-one turned up!

“I won it in 2012 and last year I played in the Europeans in Malta, where I was ninth out of 64 players with the most games won. I played for Scotland in the home internationals and won 11 of my 12 games, which was the highest number in the squad, and I’m running now running my own tournaments too. I never thought I’d be doing that when I first started!” Kim continued, “I played blackball all the time except in the big competitions when it was the world rules, which are more tactical. I’ve only been with the Scotland ladies blackball team for a couple of months and I’ve been picked for the Nations Cup in Ireland which I’m looking forward to.

“After that I’ve got the UK Open in Carlisle which will be my first major competitions under the blackball rules, so I’m hoping to make my mark.” Kim, who is also studying to become a pool referee, is hopeful of gaining further sponsorship to help her get to tournaments after she revealed it cost £850 to take part in this year’s European Championships in Malta.

She added, “I would like thank my main sponsor Peter at Smart travel and also everyone else that has made it possible for me to get these events; Northfield Service Centre, Silver Birch, Euro-Fab Alloa, Tom Courts Butchers, Clarkies Crazy Kickers, Dysart Dancers, Cowdenbeath Taxi Service, Heather’s Hair and Beauty Cowie, John McDonald carpet fitter, Scott Brown Scaffolding, J&M Pet Supply, E Burgoyne & Sons, Plasmed Fife Ltd, Torleys Bar and Homes in Focus Lettings.

“But it is expensive to travel so any sponsorship would be great.” Anyone interested in sponsoring Kim should contact the Silver Birch or the Times.