Kuranda 8 Ball Association, founded in 1999 by Ken Alderdice and Mark Freeman, is a sports club located in the Mareeba Shire of Queensland, Australia. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, the club welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels. Prejudice is not tolerated, and two instances of prejudice led to the immediate expulsion of the members involved.
An important principle of the Kuranda 8 Ball Association is equality. Nobody is turned away from their games, even if they have no prior experience in the sport. The club takes pride in fostering a serious yet understanding environment for players to learn and improve. They celebrate even the smallest victories, such as a player sinking two balls after three months of playing in the competition.
The club is dedicated to community involvement. They actively support other associations in need of assistance, whether it be helping with bar duties, donating to local community initiatives, or participating in fundraising activities such as Legacy badge sales. Additionally, when representing the village in outside tournaments, the association aims to play hard but always fair, setting an example for others to follow.
In addition to their initial aims, the club decided to support aspiring players in reaching their highest potential. They provide financial and other forms of support to players who compete at the highest level they can achieve. Over the past decade, the club has seen two players represent Queensland internationally and six players represent them at State Trials, among other notable achievements.
The Kuranda 8 Ball Association is located in the village of Kuranda, known worldwide as the “Village in the Rainforest. ” Despite having a population of around 5000 residents, Kuranda is considered a village due to its unique atmosphere. The central residential area is home to approximately 200 residents and is surrounded by vast areas of rainforest and rural residential properties. The climate in Kuranda is enviable, with agreeable weather, minimal frost, and low humidity compared to the coastal areas.
Summers are cooler than major cities, while winters are warmer. The village boasts the third-cleanest air in the world and is located about half an hour's drive west of Cairns, near the residential and commercial area of Smithfield and the Northern Beaches.
The Kuranda 8 Ball Association has a committee in place to oversee its operations. The committee members, including President Janet Hoye, Secretary Janet Hoye, Treasurer Zananda Foord, and Selectors Rob Shandley and Nathan Trapnell, work together to ensure the smooth running of the club.
Overall, the Kuranda 8 Ball Association is a sports club that values inclusivity, equality, community involvement, and the pursuit of excellence. With a rich history and a supportive environment, the club continues to thrive and empower its players to achieve their goals in the sport of 8-ball.