Kathy Parashis Regains Crown

With several high profile players being absent from this year’s NSW State Women’s Snooker Championship, the opportunity was there for one of the lesser-known players to rise and enjoy some time in the spotlight.  However this was not to be, with Greenacre’s Kathy Parashis proving just how important experience is at this level as she claimed her first State victory since 2011.  This latest victory gives Parashis an impressive tally of 9 NSW title crowns, with the likelihood of even more to come.   

Held on 20th – 21st September, the 2014 NSW State Women’s Snooker Championship was once again staged on the Central Coast at Mingara Recreation Club.  Mingara and its members have certainly proven to be staunch supporters of snooker at all levels for many years now, but none more so than the Womens’.  It is worth noting that this latest 2014 event was the 10th consecutive year that the NSW Women’s Snooker title has been hosted and supported by the popular Mingara club – a fantastic achievement.

Several regular players such as crowd favourite Jenny Budd, 10 time winner Anne Green and defending Champion Jessica Woods may have been unable to attend this year’s event - but nothing can detract from the performance by Kathy Parashis who claimed the title in fine style. Parashis only lost 1 frame during Saturday’s round robin phase to emerge as the undefeated top seed in her group.  She then went on to record convincing victories in Sunday’s knock-out stage, losing only 2 frames from the quarter-final onwards.

It was a fitting and engrossing Final as her opponent, Theresa Whitten from Queanbeyan, had displayed solid form as she too progressed through the round robin phase undefeated in group B.  It was Parashis who took the opening frame 62-35 before Whitten came back in the second 58-24 to level up.  But that was as close as she was to get as Parashis played solidly to take the next 2 frames 76-46 and 57-31 and claim a determined and deserved victory. 

It was pleasing to see Theresa Whitten involved in this year’s Championship after making a comeback to the game earlier this year following nearly 20 years absence.  Many may not recall her name from the days she played in Victoria during 1989-99 (winning the 1993 VIC Women’s Championship) prior to leaving the game in 1996 and moving to the Canberra/Queanbeyan area.  Whitten played with distinction throughout this event and showed that she will be very competitive in whatever future events she may contest.

Special thanks to all referees who officiated at this event and also to joint sponsors Mingara Snooker & Billiards Club and Central Coast Billiards & Snooker Association.  This assistance and support is vital to the success of all major Championships conducted regularly at the Mingara venue and is acknowledged.  

Full results attached below. 

Gary Knight
Tournament Director