Young Hangberg pool player aiming for the stars

A young Hangberg pool player's precise and accurate moves on a pool table have earned him a call-up to the Western Province U14 team.

Dale Mitchell started playing pool last year after falling in love with his uncle's pool table at their house. He was always looking for a reason to sleep over to sneak in a frame or two, he said.

His father, Dimitri, who also plays pool professionally, said he started noticing Dale's interest in the game and watched him "pot balls" for fun. 

"I started noticing he can pot the balls nicely, so being an active pool player myself, I took him with me to Eskape Pool Club," Dimitri said.

The club is based in Hout Bay, where weekly competitions were held, and Dale had the opportunity to watch talented players from all over.

"He would always want to go with me to watch. He learnt from watching good pool players, and after a while of playing social games at the club, the guys encouraged me to enter him in these comps," Dimitri said.

"I was scared at first, as I know the level of pool and his level of playing is far apart."

But Dale's talent was evident,, and after giving him some advice, Dimitri allowed him to compete "with the big boys".

"I must say, he learnt a lot from the competition, also came in a doubles finals once and always very competitive," Dimitri said.

Dale then became a league player earlier this year for the Eskape BSA Blackball Pool League 2025. The club recently opened in Hout Bay and it's known to be the first of its kind with proper facilities.

"This club has the facility to properly take the sport forward and develop young players to become proper pool players if they take it seriously," said chairman of the club, James Whichman.

He said the club was not just a safe haven for youngsters, but strived towards developing the sport of pool and promoting the Blackball Association of South Africa (BSA).

"We want pool to become recognised as a professional sport for our youth to become professional players 1 day," Mr Whichman said.

Dale made the Western Province U14 team in his first trials this year and is currently at Nationals for a chance to participate in the PSA National Championships later this year.

"I really hope to finish in the top five because I do feel I can take this to a new level and I want to try and do well," Dale said, who is fresh off a Principles Award and is known to be doing well academically.

"This game makes me happy. I was ranked last and ranked to 25 to 13, and now I am competing for the top five, which is very exciting for me," Dale said.

"As much as I want to do well in pool, I am very serious about my academics and want to do well in school."

Patience Gertse from Hangberg has watched Dale develop in the game and said she is excited to see where his career takes him.

"Dale Mitchell is proving himself to be a true 'pool shark' in the world of billiards. At such a young age, his skill, composure, and passion for the game have already set him apart," she said.

"Dale’s interest in billiards began early, and it came as no surprise to those who know him. His father, Dimitri, and uncle, Lionel, are both accomplished players, and with Lionel also owning the local pool club, eSkape, Dale had the perfect environment to nurture his talent from the very start."

Ms Gertse said what came naturally for Dale was seen as a real challenge for many, "a testament to his dedication and natural flair".

"There’s no doubt that Dale has what it takes to make a name for himself internationally. With the right guidance and continued motivation, the future is bright for this young sportsman," she said.

Dimitri also had nothing but praise for his son and said he hoped to see his son on the bigger stage soon.

"As a parent and an aspiring pool player as well, I wish for Dale to be successful in the sport, and I'm proud to say Dale is definitely a future quality pool players and I will put in the time to and it's my wish that he can one day represent SA as a pool player," Dimitri said.