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BCA OF THE FUTURE
BCA OF THE FUTURE...
Now in his third year as CEO of the BCA, Shane Tyree continues to make lasting changes designed to improve things for members both now and in the future.
With another strong BCA Expo upon us, we sat down with Tyree to discuss what’s ahead.
What are your goals for the BCA in 2025?
The future of the BCA lies in our commitment to enhancing the consumer experience at our key events – the BCA Expo, the Junior Nationals, and the North American Championships. Our focus remains on continuously improving attendee engagement and satisfaction, ensuring these events evolve to meet the highest standards. By elevating the overall experience, we aim to drive growth and strengthen our organization’s impact within the community.
What is your long-term vision for the BCA, and how do you see the organization evolving over the next decade?
Our goal is to expand our summer sporting event while establishing ourselves as the official governing body for billiards
in North America. Beyond the summer event, we aspire to develop a tour or series of events that provide a competitive platform for North American players. By doing so, we aim to cultivate a deeper talent pool and elevate the level of competition on the international stage.
How is the BCA planning to attract and engage younger players to ensure the future popularity and growth of billiards?
We are prioritizing not only junior qualifier events but also the expansion of our junior state championships. Last year, we successfully hosted over 20 junior state championships, and this year, we aim to increase that number significantly.
With our strong commitment to junior development, we are introducing a new event – the Challenge of the Junior Champions. This competition will feature four teams: two teams from the U.S., along with one team each from Mexico and Canada. Designed as a crucial steppingstone between Junior Nationals and Worlds, this event will provide junior players with a high-intensity, international-level competition experience, preparing them to excel on the world stage.
How does the BCA plan to expand its presence and influence internationally, especially in countries where billiards has a growing interest?
We are actively working toward formally establishing an actual North American Cuesports Federation, strengthening our partnerships with Canada and Mexico while seeking further expansion. Additionally, we are focused on solidifying the organizational structure in Puerto Rico, supporting its development into an independent federation. Our overarching goal is to unify North American billiards under the BCA umbrella, fostering a cohesive and collaborative framework for the sport's growth across the region.
How does the BCA plan to forge new partnerships and sponsorships to support tournaments and grassroots programs in the future?
The Billiard Congress of America’s primary objective is to cultivate the American talent pool and elevate the perception of billiards as a recognized sport here in the United States. Achieving this milestone would serve as a tipping point for our sport’s growth and legitimacy nationwide. However, developing top-tier talent presents its own challenges. Our mission is to demonstrate that pool and cuesports is not merely a recreational game played in bars, but a competitive, skillbased sport deserving of greater recognition and support.
What steps is the BCA taking to promote diversity and inclusion within the billiard community, ensuring that players from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported?
Our goal is to expand the sport’s reach and introduce it to as many people as possible. Last year, we launched the North American Wheelchair Championships and, in collaboration with the WPA and Joy, hosted the Wheelchair Championships in Los Angeles this past December. We remain committed to the growth of the wheelchair division within our association.
As part of our broader strategy, we are actively working to integrate billiards into multisport events. Recently, we established a partnership with the Colorado Senior Games, ensuring that participants have the opportunity to compete in billiards and qualify for the National Senior Games.
In what ways is the BCA planning to promote billiards as a competitive sport to a broader audience, possibly through media partnerships or social media strategies?
Our research indicates that pool and billiards is played by more people worldwide than soccer, football, and basketball. Our priority is to ensure that the sport receives the visibility and support it deserves by collaborating with as many partners as possible to promote its growth and recognition.
We are currently working with our current partners to develop a larger social media presence for the events and players we work with. Additionally, the BCA has recently hired a dedicated media manager, Ben Sutherland, to help us get more recognition and awareness across all media platforms.
What do you view as the biggest challenges facing the billiards community today, and how does the BCA intend to address these challenges moving forward?
In the United States, one of our greatest challenges is shifting the perception of pool and billiards from a casual game to a recognized sport. Overcoming this mindset is essential for the sport’s growth and legitimacy. For over 75 years, this association has faced the ongoing question of whether the professional game directly contributes to the sales of pool tables. Bridging the gap between the industry’s trade and competitive play sectors remains a key priority, and we continue to explore innovative ways to strengthen this connection.
Why are you excited about the 2025 BCA Expo?
Currently the BCA Expo is on track to be at full capacity on the expo floor, with an energy and excitement surpassing previous years – something I am truly looking forward to. Attendees can expect a vibrant and engaging experience, reinforcing our commitment to continuous growth and development.
This year, we are reintroducing the Business of Billiards seminars on the opening day, providing valuable industry insights. All attendees will have the opportunity to gain actionable knowledge that they can take back to their businesses, fostering long-term success.
Why are you optimistic about what’s ahead?
Over the past three years, I have observed more growth in the sport than in the preceding fifteen. The surge in investment and enthusiasm within the competitive pool and billiards arena has been truly remarkable, positioning the future of the sport in an exceptionally promising light. It is exciting to anticipate the advancements and opportunities that will unfold for professional cue sports athletes in the coming five to ten years. Our objective is to harness this momentum to drive increased sales of pool tables and home leisure products, a challenge I am eager to embrace.
