Napier’s David Meier-Bailey is looking forward to “potting” Iran as his next travel destination when he represents New Zealand in the world’s under-21 snooker championships.
The 21-year-old Eastern Institute of Technology student recently won the national under-21 title for a fifth consecutive year.
Supported in his Bachelor of Business Studies by an EIT Elite Sportsperson Scholarship, David is already something of an old hand at snooker, having taken the game up at the age of 11.
“I’m having a quarter-life crisis,” the final-year degree student laughs.
His entrée to the game was a pool table bought by his father 10 years ago to occupy his older brothers and their friends. Soon after, David graduated from pool to snooker, becoming the first junior member of a New Zealand club at a time when women and children weren’t encouraged to join.
Although it meant competing against much older players at Napier’s Cosmopolitan Club, the youngster didn’t dwell on his age. “I just liked playing snooker,” he says.
For David, the game’s appeal lies in its similarities with real life.
“There are days when everything runs smoothly and it feels like the easiest game in the world. But there are other days when I struggle to sink a single ball. When you are focused, you obviously play better.
“It should be totally about feel. If you are practising, it’s about perfecting your technique and working on the angles – how and where to hit the ball. But the work should be done for a game or playing in competition.
“You should be at the stage where you rely on instinct. Otherwise as soon as you start thinking about what you are doing, everything turns to rubbish!”
There’s nothing rubbishy about David’s run of successes. As New Zealand’s under-21 champion for the last five years, he has been represented this country in international competition in Ireland, India and Bahrain.
While New Zealand Snooker Association funding has met the cost of flights and accommodation, David has covered additional travel expenses himself. For the trip to the world championships in Ireland, for example, he arranged for entertainer Mike King to perform at Napier’s Century Theatre.
“He was really supportive,” he says of the Auckland comedian, “reducing his fee ginormously as his contribution to my fundraising effort.”
Launching into his EIT studies in 2007, David is working towards a double major in marketing and management.
As for the future, he says he’s avoiding thinking about his direction in life while he focuses on finishing his degree.
“This final year is a lot more full-on than previous years and I have only just begun to find a balance with the study, snooker, family, friends and other aspects of my life.”
He sees the trip to Kish, the resort island in the Persian Gulf which is hosting the world under-21s in July, as a welcome break away from study demands.
“I am really excited about this prospect because it may be the only opportunity I get to visit that area, plus photos online of Kish look beautiful.”
David doesn’t believe the break will affect his studies. With three results back for this semester, his academic achievement is proving a match for his snooker skills. The marks have ranged from 83 to 98 percent – “the highest I’ve ever got,” he smiles proudly.
Other athletes attending EIT on Elite Sportsperson Scholarships are:
Footballer Marama Thompson, 18, plays centre back for Hawke’s Bay United Under 20s and is a member of Hawke’s Bay United’s senior squad. From Napier, Marama was in the New Zealand Under-19s and the Hawke’s Secondary Schools Under- 20s. He’s a first year student on the Bachelor of Recreation and Sport programme.
Dan Ball, 18, is doing the second year of the Bachelor of Recreation and Sport. Another footballer, he also got into the New Zealand Under-20s development squad. He plays right back and right mid for the Hawke’s Bay United Under-20s and is a Hawke’s Bay United senior squad member.
Shaun Peta, 20, is originally from Gisborne and now lives in Hastings. A goalie, Shaun is a Hawke’s Bay United’s senior squad member and key player in the Hawke’s Bay United Under-20s team. He is into the second year of his Bachelor of Recreation and Sport.
Golfer Jaimie McIvor, 18, started at EIT this year, combining the Bachelor of Recreation and Sport and the Bachelor of Business Studies. Living on Napier Hill, she was in the senior women’s Hawke’s Bay team last year and is trialling again this year.
Nineteen-year-old triathlete Anna Fuhrer is doing the second year of a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design. From Haumoana, she competed in to the world age-group champs last year and again this year.
Equestrian Pip Taylor, 19, is in the second year of a Bachelor of Recreation and Sport. Taking part in 10 horse shows around the North Island between September and January, she achieved 19 champion, three supreme and one reserve awards. Formerly from Central Hawke’s Bay, Pip flats in Taradale.