Daxs Balenger

Charter: AAA • Bloomington, MN

Roger has been a VNEA Member in Idaho since 1986 and has

participated in every Idaho State Tournament during that

time.

As a long-time Captain of his men’s team, he has racked up

numerous top finishes in Team, Singles and Scotch Doubles

competition at the Idaho State Championships.

Roger’s team has also experienced great finishes at the

International Championships on several occasions. Roger

struck gold at the 2010 Vegas event and took home the

“Charlie” for the 8-Ball Men’s Classic Division title

after finishing runner-up in the same division in 2009.

VNEA QUOTE: It is always a privilege to play in the VNEA,

both locally and at the International venue. The VNEA has

given me the opportunity to compete on an International

level and make many new friends.

Although Daxs has numerous D & R Star and MOMA Year-End event titles, his most meaningful accomplishments are the successes of his Junior Program. He’s promoted and taught VNEA Juniors for the past 12 years and hopes to continue to do so for the rest of his life. In 2012, Daxs and his best friends which he’s played with for a very long time, played well enough to finally get their very first “Charlie”. Daxs most memorable moments of being involved with VNEA happen every year when he walks into the Junior World Championships for the first time. He is always taken back with the emotions, pride and excitement for his players.

VNEA QUOTE: The VNEA has given me a platform to do two things I’ve truly loved. Play the sport I love, and will play forever, and teach the sport to our youth through the Junior Pool Program. Thank you to VNEA and my Charter, AAA, for trusting and supporting me along the way.

Rich Chan

Charter: Town & Country Amusement • Windsor, Ontario

Roger has been a VNEAMember in Idaho since 1986 and has

participated in every Idaho State Tournament during that

time.

As a long-time Captain of his men’s team, he has racked up

numerous top finishes in Team, Singles and Scotch Doubles

competition at the Idaho State Championships.

Roger’s team has also experienced great finishes at the

International Championships on several occasions. Roger

struck gold at the 2010 Vegas event and took home the

“Charlie” for the 8-Ball Men’s Classic Division title

after finishing runner-up in the same division in 2009.

VNEAQUOTE: It is always a privilege to play in the VNEA,

both locally and at the International venue. The VNEAhas

given me the opportunity to compete on an International

level and make many new friends.

Rich recently captured the 2018 OVNEA Masters Team title along with many other Ontario Provincial, Ohio State and Regional and City Team and Singles titles. He is also a member of the Windsor VNEA Hall of Fame. Rich has been Captain of many successful teams and tries to promote and grow the game of pool by mentoring and teaching the next generation of pool players. In Vegas, Rich’s Open Team (2003) and Masters Team (2007) captured the prestigious World Title. In 2007, Rich’s Intermediate Team finished 2nd, almost completing the “Triple Crown” run in each division. In the 2007 Master Team Finals, Rich’s team was down 46 balls with 6 games to play. He and his teammates ran out the last 6 games to win the title.

VNEA QUOTE: The best part of playing in the VNEA is the lifelong memories and friendships that I’ve made with all the people that I have competed against. The most important one is meeting my beautiful wife, Hollie, at the 2002 World Championships in Las Vegas!

Brenda Hyke

Charter: D & R Star • Rochester, MN

Roger has been a VNEAMember in Idaho since 1986 and has

participated in every Idaho State Tournament during that

time.

As a long-time Captain of his men’s team, he has racked up

numerous top finishes in Team, Singles and Scotch Doubles

competition at the Idaho State Championships.

Roger’s team has also experienced great finishes at the

International Championships on several occasions. Roger

struck gold at the 2010 Vegas event and took home the

“Charlie” for the 8-Ball Men’s Classic Division title

after finishing runner-up in the same division in 2009.

VNEAQUOTE: It is always a privilege to play in the VNEA,

both locally and at the International venue. The VNEAhas

given me the opportunity to compete on an International

level and make many new friends.

For the past 15 years, Brenda has helped both run and organize the Youth Pool Program in Rochester. She is also an active player competing in local leagues and tournaments. She has also been an active member of VNEA Pool League Boards for both the Adult and Junior Programs. Brenda has also been a helpful hand at the VNEA Junior World Championships through the years. Whenever she attends a local or international tournament and she sees her youth players competing as adults, it makes her very proud of their sportsmanship and amazing abilities.

VNEA QUOTE: I appreciate all that the Hawkins family and D & R Star has done for the youth in our area. They are always there to help provide a positive atmosphere for the players.

Garey Kirkland

Charter: SML Entertainment • Calgary, Alberta

Roger has been a VNEAMember in Idaho since 1986 and has

participated in every Idaho State Tournament during that

time.

As a long-time Captain of his men’s team, he has racked up

numerous top finishes in Team, Singles and Scotch Doubles

competition at the Idaho State Championships.

Roger’s team has also experienced great finishes at the

International Championships on several occasions. Roger

struck gold at the 2010 Vegas event and took home the

“Charlie” for the 8-Ball Men’s Classic Division title

after finishing runner-up in the same division in 2009.

VNEAQUOTE: It is always a privilege to play in the VNEA,

both locally and at the International venue. The VNEAhas

given me the opportunity to compete on an International

level and make many new friends.

As a longtime member of the SML Entertainment Pool League, Garey has accumulated numerous Tournament Championships in Alberta. Garey has had great success at the World Championships in Las Vegas even capturing a Scotch Doubles title in 1994. His team was also awarded “Best Dressed” at the 1990 event.

VNEA QUOTE: I started playing pool at the age of 11 and eventually joined a team with SML Entertainment. Our team traveled to Las Vegas in 1990 and have only missed one year since. I cherish the friendships that I’ve made over the past 30 years in Alberta and Las Vegas.

Dave Wells

Charter: Games People Play • Loveland, CO

Roger has been a VNEAMember in Idaho since 1986 and has

participated in every Idaho State Tournament during that

time.

As a long-time Captain of his men’s team, he has racked up

numerous top finishes in Team, Singles and Scotch Doubles

competition at the Idaho State Championships.

Roger’s team has also experienced great finishes at the

International Championships on several occasions. Roger

struck gold at the 2010 Vegas event and took home the

“Charlie” for the 8-Ball Men’s Classic Division title

after finishing runner-up in the same division in 2009.

VNEAQUOTE: It is always a privilege to play in the VNEA,

both locally and at the International venue. The VNEAhas

given me the opportunity to compete on an International

level and make many new friends.

In Dave’s first ten years in Colorado he won several Singles events and his team won the “A” Division title along with many other top league finishes. Dave has served as a Referee and helped run local tournaments. He has also offered lessons to anyone who asked and has tried to pass on his wealth of knowledge and experience to adults and juniors alike. Dave’s various teams from both South Dakota and Colorado have had several “Top 10” finishes at the Vegas Championships. He has also developed into a trusted cue repair technician over the past 20 years.

VNEA QUOTE: The VNEA has made "bar pool" much more special. When VNEA leagues first started in his area, it caught on quickly. The quality of players over the past 37 years has grown exponentially. Thank you to all the Charter Holders, players and fans who make the VNEA so special.