Breton billiard lovers are finally getting together! The Brittany Championship, canceled the last two years because of the Covid-19, is taking place this year. The 6th stage takes place in Chantepie, from April 16 to 18, 2022. 200 players, classified in National 3 and Regional 1, participate. Of the 30 tables, only three women were playing yesterday
10% female players
Maëwen remains impassive in front of the player she faces. He has three balls left, his opponent one. She tucks in hers without batting an eyelid and narrowly loses, trying to get the black ball out. The 21 year old girl almost systematically challenges men. It never got her into trouble. “There are sometimes machos, but franklyit’s okay, she laughs. And then, in case of problems, my father is there!“
The billiard club of Chantepie, organizer of this sixth stage, has more players than the average. For Frédéric Bridonneau, president of the club, women have a game that destabilizes men. “A man will tend to attack morehe judges. A woman is going to be a little more thoughtful and therefore more strategic.“
“A man is going to tend to attack more while a woman is going to be a bit more thoughtful and therefore more strategic.” – Frédéric Bridonneau, president of the billiard club of Chantepie
Karine, who is part of the Dinard team and who participated in the Women’s World Pool Championships in 2015, even believes that it is easier to face men. “It may also be because we, as women, we all know each othershe explains. We’re also friends, so when we’re playing against each other, it’s harder to be mean.“
The feminization of sport is progressing. In ten years, the number of female players has doubled, but they represent only 10% of pool players. To understand why, you have to go back to the creation of the game.”Billiards was a compulsory test to become a musketeersays Hervé Rabault, president of the Ligue de Bretagne de Billard. And then, it was also something that was often played out in cafes or in academies, where women rarely went.“