Sam’s achievements in the sport were particularly auspicious given he has to travel from Te Kamo to Auckland each weekend to get a competitive game, Mike said.
“There’s nothing up here, it’s amazing we [Northland] have got a few kids doing well.”
Sam got into pool by watching and playing with his dad on the pool table in their garage, first picking up a cue at age 10 or 11.
When the family was in Auckland one weekend, Sam was encouraged to join a junior coaching session, run by top players such as New Zealand No 1, Matt Edwards.
The coaches were able to tell that Sam had plenty of talent and encouraged him to start competing, basing himself at Auckland pool hall Pool and Blues.
Sam’s first taste of international competition was when the World Pool-Billiard Association held its world championships in Hamilton in 2024, the first time such an event was held in New Zealand.
Sam Dunbar says being tall, at 1.93m, helps him get good reach across the pool table. Photo / Denise Piper
Last year, he travelled to Spain as part of New Zealand’s U17 team, with fellow Northlanders Manaia McQueen and Aaliyah Clifford.
Mike said the international competitions exposed the Kiwis’ lack of coaching and experience, with pool being a national sport in many European countries and even taught at school in Poland.
In Spain, Sam managed to beat the European champ and give the world champ a scare, an experience that helped make him a more focused player.
While he hopes to do well in San Antonio in November, Sam’s ultimate goal is to become a professional pool player and play the game in the Olympics.
The Whangārei Boys’ High School student credited his success to his coach Henry Nguyen, plus his tall 1.93m frame, which gives him a good reach.
Sinking shot after shot, game after game is what Sam Dunbar will be required to do at the World Pool-Billiard Association Junior World Championships. Photo / Denise Piper
He was also helped by Blues and Pool owners Tony and Anna Nguyen, Dutch coach Rienus Gennissen and his dad, who learned the competitive game.
Mike said that while he was proud of his son’s achievement, Sam’s competing has not come cheaply, with cues costing $5000 each, tournament tables costing $15,000 and the cost of travel to Auckland each week for coaching and competitions.
The Dunbars had started a Givealittle page to cover the costs of the international flights to the world champs in Texas.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.