After placing third in the Victorian Eight Ball Junior State Titles, 17-year-old Jayson Jorgensen and 12-year-old Deakin Lamb are bound for the nationals.

Jayson and Deakin, from Maffra and District Eight Ball Association, attended their first state competition, the Victorian Eight Ball Junior State Titles, at Bundoora on August 21. Both placed third, securing a spot on the Victorian team for the 2023 Australian Eight Ball Junior Nationals in Albury from January 8 to 12.

Jayson Jorgensen and Deakin Lamb will head to Albury in January for the 2023 Australian Eight Ball Junior Nationals. Photos: Zoe Askew

Both boys are eager for the upcoming event; Jayson is playing in the Under 18 Team, and Deakin is in the Under 15 Team.

“I’m proud of myself,” Jayson said.

Heading into the competition, Jayson, who also plays in the Wellington Eight Ball Association, is laser-focused on staying cool, calm and collected, “just stay calm, never get angry and play the way you play on the table” he said.

Jayson is at top junior age, but the young pool player has his sights set on an accomplished career.

“I want to make my reality pool; just focus on pool. Practice long hours, stay confident in every shot on the table and play the better players.”

The younger of the two, Deakin, says he is excited for nationals, and a reluctant head nod affirmed there might just be some nerves too; but not to worry, the youngest has plans to combat those pesky pre-comp butterflies.

“Don’t overthink it too much,” Deakin said.

Having both only played pool for the past five years, making the 2023 nationals is a tremendous achievement, not only for Jayson and Deakin, but for their parents and the Maffra and District Eight Ball Association.

Deakin Lamb was introduced to pool by his pop at the age of seven, little did they know that by 12, Deakin would be competing in the 2023 Australian Eight Ball Junior Nationals.

With the local eight-ball association putting forward efforts to increase junior participation, Deakin’s father, Ashley Burroughs, says the boy’s accomplishments are consequential for the league.

“This is a big deal for our league,” he said.

“We want more kids following in the sport and playing, so this is a very big deal for our league.

“It’s great to get it all out there and hopefully encourage young kids to play in our league because it’s a great atmosphere; you learn from some really good players and meet a lot of people within the community.

“It’s really like a big family, lovely people; I’m over the moon about my son taking it on.”

Deakin has been practising with local eight-ball player Jack Green who is off to the world championships in France.

Maffra and District Eight Ball Association recently created a fund for junior development.

Daniel Jorgensen, Jayson’s father, says the fund supports juniors who succeed and aspire to further their careers.

“With our league, Maffra and District, having a fund now for the junior development, it means if we do get juniors who want to succeed and go to that higher level, we can approach our league for funds, which has been raised through fundraising,” Jorgensen said.

Jayson is set on a decorated career in eight-ball, practising daily in the lead-up to the eight-ball junior nationals.

While Jayson and Deakin share a love for pool, what the boys look forward to in the upcoming nationals is widely different.

“[I’m looking forward to] meeting new people, finding new friends that have the same connection as me with pool and yeah, I’m just excited,” Jayson said.

“Winning”, said Deakin when asked what he was most looking forward to at the national competition.