The champ is here

WORLD Snooker Champion Neil Robertson has helped Victoria Maccabi Snooker celebrate its 20th year, with a visit to the club’s home at Kings Entertainment Complex in Dingley Village.

Robertson became the first Australian to win the title in the open era and just the second since Horace Lindrum — son of the legendary Walter Lindrum — in 1952.

The 28-year-old was near broke when he made the move to the UK to pursue his dream of playing professional snooker, but the man they call “The Thunder From Down Under” had a change in fortune when he collected $411,000 for his championship win.

Victoria Maccabi Snooker Club president Mal Gilbert has known Roberston since he was a junior in the sport and was responsible for getting him to the function. Gilbert said Robertson’s visit was a thrill.

“It’s hard to grasp the magnitude of having Neil visit the club,” hesaid.
“Having a world champion of our sport coming down … it’s like Michael Schumacher coming down to a local car club, or Shane Warne coming down to a local cricket club.

“It was a big honour to have not just a world champion, but the current world champion come and visit our little Jewish club.”

Gilbert said Robertson was an outstanding ambassador for the sport. “He was a real gentleman. He stayed for about four hours, signed every last autograph and had a photo with everyone who wanted one.

“He was easygoing and his address was a real inspiration for everyone, but especially the younger members of the club,” Gilbert said.

Robertson, back in Melbourne on a goodwill tour, showed off his World Snooker Championship trophy to around 350 Maccabi faithful and delivered a rousing address, wishing the club well for its 20th anniversary.

Robertson also said he would attend the club’s official anniversary celebration later this month, schedule permitting, and sign autographs and club shirts, including the original Maccabi strip from 1991.

The club will celebrate 20 years since its inception at the Bentleigh Club with Glen Eira Mayor Stephen Tang as special guest.

Organisers are expecting around 170 people to attend the event, and the club will name its best 20 players of the past 20 years from a shortlist of 41 nominees. There will also be plaques awarded to five, 10 and 15-year members.

ADAM KAMIEN