In what will be perhaps the most poignant tour stop to date in all of its five seasons, the GB 9 Ball Tour returns to Daventry next weekend for the 2012 edition of the Paul Medati Trophy.

This season’s competition will bring with it an even higher emotional value to all the players on the tour as the Challenge division players battle it out for the inaugural Mark Lovell Challenge Cup.

Mark Lovell who sadly passed away in December 2011 (© Andy Warden)

As most on GB9 and inside the world of pool will be aware, Mark lost his long battle with cancer back in December 2011 at the age of 54. His mere presence on a pool table was enough to brighten any room he happened to be in and, although his time on GB9 was short, his gentlemanly nature and his presence on the tour has been felt for some time already.  In light of that, the tour has chosen to dedicate a Challenge Cup competition in his honour to coincide with the Paul Medati trophy.

GB9's tribute to Mark Lovell at his funeral back in December 2011

Mark’s wife, Emily, has given her full backing to the competition and knows that it would be something Mark would be proud of, “Mark loved going to the GB9 tournaments and always came back saying how much he enjoyed it and what a great bunch of guys were there”, said Emily ”It is so comforting to know that others battling cancer can benefit from a game that Mark loved.”

With two wonderful gentlemen and passionate pool players now tragically gone from the tour, it makes the continued partnership between GB9 and Macmillan Cancer Support more important than ever. The tour is proud to continue this partnership and, as in previous years, various fundraising drives and raffles will take place throughout the weekend, with every penny raised going to Macmillan, supporting cancer sufferers and their families across the UK. Both Paul Medati and Mark Lovell along with their respective families were helped a great deal by Macmillan in their final weeks, and their lives made as comfortable as possible in what so many of us can empathise are the most difficult and emotional circumstances.

World No.3 Chris Melling will be in attendance aiming to defend his crown from last year, along with numerous other players all hoping to take the gold medal home with them. Entry to spectators is free as ever, and play will commence at 4pm with the opening rounds of the first Mark Lovell Challenge Cup. Those in attendance will see the world class pool GB9 is renowned for and, perhaps more importantly for this weekend, exactly what two former players really meant to GB9 and their fellow players.

Chris Melling - Reigning Paul Medati Trophy Champion (© Andy Warden)