Eastern Districts Pool League….. A short history
A Short History of the Eastern District Pool League
In the Beginning .....
The Eastern Districts Pool League was formed in July, 1973 by foundation members Bruno Kucko, Neil Williams and Lance Sheen - all from the Doncaster Inn Social Club. The same three were also EDPL’s very first President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
The first meeting was held at the Doncaster Inn Hotel in Doncaster on the 24th September, 1973, at which six hotels from the Eastern Suburbs were represented. These were the Dorset Gardens; Whitehorse Inn; The Club Hotel; Blackburn Hotel; Croydon Hotel and the Doncaster Inn Hotel.
The idea was put forward to form a “Body of Control” in running an Eight Ball Competition between the hotels and this was duly undertaken, therefore starting what is now known as the Eastern Districts Pool League. It was not until the body’s third meeting in November 1973 that the competition’s name was decided upon, the name being “Eastern Districts Pool League”. It is interesting to note the “s” in “Districts” (this is often dropped today) and that the pool competition was to be referred to as a League.
Initially match results were decided over two weeks. One week would be at one club’s venue, the next week would be at the other club’s venue, and the scores would be added together to decide the winner of the match. This was seen to rule out the home ground advantage something no longer used.
The first season commenced on the 19th February, 1974 with the playing night being Tuesday. Six teams contested the 1974 season held over 20 weeks plus finals in one division only.
The first matches saw Doncaster defeat Club 72-66, Whitehorse defeat Blackburn 75-60 and Dorset Gardens defeated Croydon 96-30. Dorset Gardens went on to win EDPL’s first Grand Final defeating Doncaster 87-54.
A few of the points from the early meetings and first playing season:
All EDPL players were not to be paid in any way and must always be of amateur status and not known as a professional.
Large tables would not be used. The rules would not include Foul Snookers.
EDPL’s first Grand Final night was to also be the first EDPL Presentation night and that all clubs donated $100.00 towards the cost of the event. A far cry from today’s separate finals and gala presentation day.
From these humble beginnings the EDPL has given birth to the Victorian Eight Ball Association (now named Pool Victoria) who’s own offspring the Australian Eight Ball Federation was a major contributor in the creation of the World Eight Ball Pool Federation.
Over the intervening years many changes have occurred including the increase in club numbers and players including many women, the need to split the competition into various divisions, the addition of a two season competition and, unfortunately, the loss of some of the founding and subsequent clubs and venues.
We have seen the arrival of venues that are not hotels, the pool hall. These venues have added a new dimension to the competition and are contributing to the game’s expansion and acceptance tremendously.
Since its beginnings the EDPL has provided many players to the Victorian State team and through this to the Australian Teams that have competed on the world stage very successfully.
The EDPL has participated in the state body’s Interleague competition since inception and has been extremely successful over the years thanks to the support and enthusiasm of the players who participate each year.
1997 saw the tentative start to a second independent season. The “Summer Competition” introduced a new format with a vastly different team and player structure and has grown from strength to strength since then with multiple divisions supporting up to 8 teams in each.
Its introduction now allows competition to run all year round apart from the festive seasons and the odd holiday that falls on a Tuesday.
In 2003 the Eastern Districts Pool League celebrated its 30th Anniversary season.
The EDPL Today..…
The League has grown to now comprise of 18 clubs consisting of some 37 teams competing in 4 divisions with over 550 members. The League also has a permanent employee working at the EDPL Office in Boronia. The EDPL office building was purchased by the League/members in July 2004 and is the administration office, meeting base, pool equipment/accessories retail outlet.
Matches are still held on Tuesday nights however it has become necessary to hold finals on both Monday and Tuesday nights.
Results of matches for quite some time now have been decided on the one night where the home ground is not really seen as that much of an advantage.
The 2011 winter season commenced in March, this is within a month of the original season’s commencement date 37 years ago. The season will conclude in September, with the various divisional finals being played in September/October.
This will be followed a few weeks later by the next Summer Season and so it continues….
Of the original six clubs the Whitehorse Pub has sadly long gone, although Blackburn moved to Wantirna and was called Blackburn Magic for a while then re-located to and re-named as The Whitehorse Club. Club Hotel has merged with the Manhattan Hotel at their venue. The Doncaster Inn moved to the Templestowe Hotel, then to Warrandyte Hotel, then now to Daisey’s Hotel and has been renamed; So that leaves the Dorset Gardens Hotel and the Croydon Hotel as the only founding clubs still competing today at their original venues.
EDPL’s Presentation Night is now a daytime Luncheon and has grown to be a major annual event costing considerably more that the $100.00 required from each club in 1974.
The league’s rules have changed over the years and some clubs have come and gone.
The Eastern Districts Pool League has certainly grown over the last 37 years from its early infancy to what it is today. In total, over 8000 members have been registered since the league’s inception to this day, with some “originals” surpassing 900 games.
As to the future, who knows? It should be exciting, entertaining and will no doubt provide an avenue for all those who enjoy the sport to participate, enjoy and expand the great game of 8Ball.
We look forward to seeing you soon on a Tuesday night at a member venue where you too can participate in the game’s growth.
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