by Dave Salter
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 11/96) - They say third time's a charm but it was the fourth that proved lucky for Pat Dartnell and the North of 60 Billiards Association.

After three unsuccessful bids over the past two-and-a-half years, billiards was accepted as a member of the Sport North Federation three weeks ago during the president's council meeting.

Billiards executive Pat Dartnell -- responsible for territorial development -- says the sport is beginning to gain worldwide respect.

"I think the reason we got in (Sport North) this time is because the International Olympic committee has officially recognized billiards as a sport," she says.

It looks like billiards will be included in the 2004 Olympics. So I guess Sport North figured if it will be in the Olympics they had to let us in."

Support of two-thirds of the 32-member sports alliance was needed to bring billiards into the fold.

Sport North manager Doug Rentmeister says the other sport governing bodies put some selfish motives aside in accepting the billiards' bid.

"The other groups may have been a little biased in the past. They weren't worried about their own agendas this time around," says Rentmeister.

Now that billiards has Sport North member status, Dartnell says the process of territorial growth can begin.

"With the funding we get from Sport North we'll be able to work on coaching clinics and player development throughout the North.

"Sport North will give us the infrastructure, the administration and contacts that we never had before. Our goal is to get everyone in the North playing pool," he said.

"We'd like to see our players competing at the local, regional, territorial, national and international levels."

The North of 60 Billiards Association -- which will likely be retitled NWT Billiards -- has 240 registered members, including a youth wing. Nearly all these players live in Yellowknife but Dartnell expects to see immediate expansion of into Fort Resolution, What Ti and Rae.

"I just love this sport," she says. "I think pool can solve everyone's problems. I really do."