Jaden Billingham potting his way to top in eight-ball pool

Blackheath's Billingham, 17, is the talk of the sport at a national level and is already a world and European champion in the under-18 age group.

Billingham, who trains and represents recently-opened Paco's Pool Lounge in Blackheath town centre, was recently crowned a double world champion at singles and doubles, alongside Kieran Malam, in the World Championship held in Blackpool.

Those titles added to already-crammed CV boasting a European crown, a home nations gong and, perhaps most impressive, the title of Ultimate Pool tier one champion – which is an open-age competition. Ultimate Pool Group is a leading promoter of eight-ball pool.

It was that success that has seen the teen sensation lined up for professional status from the beginning of the 2025 season in the opening months of next year. Those within the sport not only fancy Billingham to settle into the pro tour – but have backed him as a future world champion.

"Jaden has already been touted on television as a future world champion, he's not done bad for a kid from Blackheath!" said Chris Southall, who runs Paco's Pool Lounge, where the youngster's dad Richard also plays.

"He's played in front of the cameras regularly on pool channels and TNT Sport, it's nice on the commentary they talk about the club and see him in that light as a future world champion.

"He trains with seasoned pros who travel to the club and has beaten some top players.

"Jaden's dad played pool and bought him a table in his back garden when he was little. He would wake up go outside and bash the balls about, it became his life as he joined local league, but it all stemmed from his back garden.

"There is a lot of expectation on him. He's confident when it comes to his pool but he's quite a shy, cheeky lad."

The cueist also enjoyed recent success in the IPA (International Pool Association) British Open in Coventry, once again an open-age competition.

Billingham, who went to school at Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath, brought his Ultimate Pool season to a close at Blackpool recently and sits top of the rankings ahead of a prospective professional move.

It is far from the end of his 2024 on the baize, however, with a trip to Malta this month (November) to feature in the Black Ball World Championship representing England.

The teen plays across different organisations in the sport, which is a growing entity and has in recent years received more backing from broadcasters in helping grow different forms of pool.

Southall, who plays in local and national leagues alongside Billingham Snr and Jnr, said that the hope is the youngster can one day look at a possible career in China or the United States, where pool is hugely popular.

"We're really proud of him and it's nice that we've played a part in his success in the last year we've been opened and in the future we will be one of his main sponsors," added Southall.

"We would like to be part of his journey and help him and other young boys and girls achieve.

"We're a community club and want to help young kids to bring them off the street."