Wheelchair Pool Players Honor Viking and APA

The National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association (NWPA) is honoring two BCA member organizations, Viking Cue Manufacturing, Inc., and the American Poolplayers Association, with its Presidents Award, which will be officially presented during the 2008 WPA World 9-Ball Championship for Wheelchair Players in Reno, Nevada, December 1-3, 2008:

Barry Hart
Viking Cue Manufacturing, Inc., is a long-time supporter of the NWPA and its programs, and its national ranking system is named in its honor. Viking Cue's support is instrumental in the success of the NWPA as it provides significant product donations for each NWPA-sanctioned event. For the 2007 WPA World Championship for Wheelchair Players, Viking Cue provided custom-engraved gold, silver and bronze colored cues for the three medalists. Additional customized cues were provided by Viking Cue for the winners of the 2007 U.S. National Wheelchair 9-Ball Championships, as well as for several special player awards. Viking Cue also significantly increased its support for each of the seven events of the 2008 season of the PVA/NWPA National Wheelchair Billiards Tournament Series, which are enhanced NWPA-sanctioned events designed to encourage and foster participation from wheelchair players of all skill levels. While this award is being given to Viking Cue as a corporation, the NWPA specifically recognizes Barry Hart, vice president of Viking Cue, for his efforts and actions in supporting the NWPA and its mission and players.

Renee Lyle
The American Poolplayers Association (APA), from its national office to local league operators, has supported the NWPA, its mission and players in many ways. The national organization of the APA has provided direct donations for most of the NWPA's major national or international events. Several NWPA-sanctioned events have been sponsored by a local APA league. Many NWPA players compete on APA leagues and are welcomed as fellow competitors. In addition, APA league operators have helped sponsor players to sanctioned NWPA events. In 2005, the APA independently organized a 32-player tournament for its members who compete from a wheelchair. This event, which was conducted together with the APA's Annual National Team Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been held for four consecutive years, has an expanded field size of a maximum of 64 players and a first place payout of $2,000. The APA 8-Ball Wheelchair Challenge is the largest independent wheelchair billiards tournament in the United States and prominently promoted by the APA with same veracity and care as with its other national events. While this award is being given to the APA in its entirety as an organization, the NWPA specifically recognizes Renee Lyle, president of the APA, for her support of the NWPA, her vision in establishing the APA Wheelchair Challenge and the creation of a positive environment on an organizational level for the inclusion of players with disabilities.