Custom 3

In 1912, a group of well known talented billiard players held a meeting at the Palace Billiard Hall in Rundle St. Adelaide to form the Amateur Billiards Association of South Australia. Mr P J Brady, the operator of the Palace Billiard Hall, acted as secretary and continued to do so for some years. The first state championships were organised in late 1913 by Mr. Brady and continued annually until 1933. At this time, these were exclusively Billiards championships.

In 1934, the Association rented 1st floor city premises in central Grenfell St where 3 tables were installed. This move was financed by 20 members who purchased 5 Pound & 10 Pound debentures, raising a total of 200 Pounds. These debentures were redeemed in 1948 and the Association became a self-funded club with its own premises for the use of members.

In late 1957, the Grenfell St. building occupied by the club was demolished and the Association became homeless for a time as no suitable new premises were available. The club tables were stored and a small room was rented nearby over a cafe where members met socially and held meetings while new club premises were sought.

In 1958, the Postal Institute kindly made 3 of their tables available to Amateur Billiards Association members for 1 night each week. By this time, membership had dwindled to 12, with each of these people contributing 5 Pounds annually to keep the Association afloat.

In September 1959, new premises became available in the basement of the A.N.A. Building, 45 Flinders Street, Adelaide, 2 blocks south of Grenfell St. With the co-operation of the previous tenants, the Bookmakers Club of SA, the Amateur Billiards Association was able to take over the lease of these premises (to be affectionately known as "The Dungeon", in years to come).

The 3 tables in storage were installed after some building refurbishments. During the subsequent years, another table was donated by a Vice Patron and a fifth table was purchased in 1968. In these new surroundings, membership grew and many who joined in those years remain members to the present time.

This central location became the venue for state championships and club competitions for 25 years until 1984, when the ANA Building changed ownership and the generous lease was terminated. The Association then moved to 133 Port Road, Brompton, on a short-term lease in October 1984. Shortly after this, in March 1985, the Amateur Billiards Association was required to remove the word "Amateur" from its name and it became the Billiards & Snooker Association of SA Incorporated.<

After 3 years at Brompton, larger premises were acquired in the city at 288 Waymouth St, where the Association remained based for another 3 years. Increased rentals for city premises then forced the Association to restructure its financial operations. An extraordinary meeting was held, at which members voted to sell the tables to a private concern who would conduct a business at the same premises, to be known as the Cue Club, while the Association would continue to use these premises as clubrooms. For another 8 years, this arrangement worked well until the Cue Club ceased to operate. As a result, in 1997, members voted to move to 176 Pulteney St.

At this location, the Association entered into another business arrangement with the UQ2 pool hall, under which the Association set up clubrooms in the rear section of the building. Subsequently, the clubrooms were extended to include first floor accommodation in that building. On 3 February 2003, the UQ2 business ceased to operate and the Association has again become temporarily homeless.

The committee is currently seeking a new location and has held discussions with a number of interested parties. The new location will be announced on this site as soon as possible. In the spirit of its history and tradition, the Association will continue to promote all cue sports and provide recreational facilities for those who share this common interest .