WPBA professional Mary Avina has talked to World Women's Snooker (WWS) about how "super excited" she is to make her debut on the WWS Tour, when she competes in the inaugural U.S. Women's Snooker Open which will be hosted at Ox Billiards in Seattle from August 26 - 28.

Avina, who is originally from California though now resides in Texas, told WWS: "I grew up playing ten-by-five snooker for money in a small town called Cambria. I have always taken advantage of all my traveling across the USA as a billiard pro. To practice on any 12-footer, I found along the way.

"Snooker has always been a vital component of who I am as a pro pool player and I'm thrilled to play my first official snooker tournament."

Having first picked up a cue at the age of 14, Avina has made a living from billiard sports since 2013, including 8-ball and snooker.

"My billiard career escalated dramatically after I became well-known and paid from YouTube," explained Avina. "I started doing trick shot exhibitions, selling billiard products, doing appearances, and teaching billiards.

"Now full circle, I have over 400,000 followers on social media and am playing pro tournaments again. Most recently, with the Women's Professional Billiard Association."

With the WWS Tour set to stop in the United States for the first time, Avina believes that the staging of the tournament is a crucial step forward for the growth of women's snooker in the region.

"It's super important to me," said Avina. "I would get to play in the USA-based events and eventually play in Europe as well. It will definitely motivate me and others to push our game forward.

"Snooker definitely has the potential to grow here in the United States and by getting it started and women seeing women playing will attract other women players.

"I spoke with many female players at my last female pro-nine-ball event and a couple showed genuine interest and claimed they would begin to practice. With the future in mind."

Players of all levels of ability and experience are encouraged to pick up a cue and participate in this historic billiard event taking place in the United States for the first time. To get involved, please visit the World Women's Snooker website for entry details:
» 2022 U.S. Women's Snooker Open Entry

(Article courtesy of World Women's Snooker)