PIERRE Theron is preparing to compete internationally in Blackball after almost losing interest in the sport due to a tragic accident that saw him lose his eye.
Theron said he fell in love with pool from a young age.
“My main journey started here in KZN when I joined the KZN Blackball League. I was a good player headed for the KZN trails. A month before the trials, I was involved in an accident at work where I lost my eye. After that, I couldn’t play and went straight into depression,” he said.
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Theron said that a few years later, his wife encouraged him to get back into playing. Though it took a few years for him to be convinced, he finally went back.
“I just didn’t have the confidence anymore, but she didn’t stop encouraging me until I started playing socially again. A year later, I was invited to play pool for a sports club in Pinetown. I played for their first team where we won several trophies. I also introduced my sons to the sport, and I was training them,” he said.
Theron said his sons further encouraged him to go back to the KZN league.
“I joined a club in Westville and joined the KZN league for the disabled section. I went to the national trails in April, and in July, I was informed that I made the trails and will be playing internationally for the LD/PD B-Team in England in October,” he said.
Theron said the transition to being a disabled player has been challenging as he was used to having both his eyes when he played.
“I have a false eye ball that I use which is difficult to tell from a real eye, and I take it off and use an eye patch when it’s cold – the false eye gives me a headache on cold days,” he said.
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Theron is currently raising funds as he is set to go to England for his competition.
He was recently at a flea market in Waterfall where he was raising funds by hosting raffles and telling his story while at it.
The community is welcome to help Theron on his journey – his wife Annie can be contacted on 081 463 7391.
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