By Mikayla van Loon
One Lilydale local has just made history at the national competition for eight ball pool in Albury which will see her represent Australia in early 2023.
Bella Di Giorgio, 21, recently travelled to the regional New South Wales town to compete in the Australian Eight Ball Federation Championships.
“It was our first national championship in a couple of years due to Covid. So we had many competitors from all around Australia come over and compete in Albury for two weeks,” she said.
The Lilydale High School graduate walked away a triple champion, winning the women’s singles, doubles and team event, becoming one of the youngest players to ever win the singles.
“I started playing at eight years old and I had small minor goals. My first goal was to become Victorian ladies champion, I am also the current Victorian State Champion and then my next big goal was to become an Australian ladies champion,” Bella said.
“Now I’ve achieved that, I’m still kind of pinching myself. It doesn’t feel quite real, considering I’m only 21. So it feels amazing that the hard work of practising every day is paying off.”
As one of the only competitors to have made it at least into the finals, let alone win the titles, Bella said this was the first year the nationals looked the way they did.
“This was actually the first year in many years, it might even be 20 plus years, that they’ve had a doubles championship,” she said.
“They also introduced a smaller singles event, which was played using international pool rules and they’re not too common over here.”
After winning state competitions and now nationals, Bella has been selected to represent the Australian women’s team at the upcoming World Eight Ball Pool Championships in Morocco in May.
“It’s an absolute dream come true. I’ve represented Australia before, but not for the women. So I represented Australia for the under 18 juniors quite a few years ago.
“Now being able to represent my country as a senior and as a lady who’s won the singles is amazing. I’m so looking forward to it.
“We’ll be competing at the highest level that pool goes to, so hopefully I can get there and do well over there too.”
Having picked up a pool cue to follow in the footsteps of her dad and brother, Bella now stands on her own when it comes to the family competition.
“My dad, when he moved over here from Italy, he began playing pool just in the local pubs and clubs.
“Because my dad was playing, my older brother decided to join in and play as well and one day I said to Mum, ‘I want to be just like my big brother. I want to win like he’s been winning’.
“After my singles win I’m moving to the top of the family ranks. It’s amazing the three of us play. It’s very much a family sport and my oldest sister and my mum, they’re our number one supporters.”
While there are a lot of women who play pool, Bella said it is still very much a male dominated sport and she is trying to encourage more young girls to take up playing.
“Being 21 and so young, and having achieved what I’ve just achieved, I want to inspire more young girls to join the sport.
“It’s a sport that anyone can play. It’s a strategic sport. It’s a sport of stamina. It’s an amazing sport.”
Bella will take a break over Christmas before getting back into her coaching in the new year to lead her into the Morocco competition.
