Billiards has always been a family affair for Brittany Bryant.

Even after hitting the final streak to claim Calgary’s first Canadian pool triple crown this month – winning the national 8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball tournaments – the 32-year-old Guelph native’s thinking holds true. to the man who introduced her to the game.

“The thought that went through my head was actually just missing my dad, to be honest,” he told GuelphToday. “He must be very proud.”

‘Papa Jack’ Bryant died in October, and was instrumental in Brittany’s career.

“I went with my dad to the billiard room,” he said. “I kept score for his team for a long time, and then I was introduced to the junior program, and it was so beautiful.”

Katherine Deveau, general manager of Tony’s Billiards on Macdonell Street, convinced Brittany to start playing.

Bryant didn’t think that going professional was out of the question at the time. But after winning his first tournament, he said something was working.

“I was very successful at first,” he says. “That’s very rare, considering I was a girl in the pool room and there weren’t many women like me playing.”

Since then, Bryant has continued to win awards. He is a two-time world junior billiards champion, and 19-time Canadian champion.

He number six on the Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) tour. in the US this year, and tops Canada.

He makes a living playing the sport, but Bryant admits it is hard work and a yearlong commitment.

“You’ll be on the road 365 days a year,” he says. “It won’t be easy, but it’s possible.”

Meanwhile, Bryant has been absent once or twice a month, now competing on a reduced schedule and supplementing his income as a server at his new home in Georgetown.

“I have changed myself… simply because I am going to look to the future and want a family and do different things with my life,” he said. “Pretty good, I can afford to pay for the next one, shall I say.”

His most recent victory allowed Bryant to be selected to represent Canada at the world championships in Austria in October.

And as he chased his first world title, Bryant’s stable was feeling the effects of his historic victory in Calgary.

Deveau was inspired by winning the triple crown, and decided to revive the women’s tournament at Tony’s.

“I’ve done it before, the most I could get maybe 12 women out,” said Deveau.

“In 24 hours, I registered 44 women. And that’s because of (Bryant).”

The hall also hosted a memorial tournament for Jack Bryant last month, which drew 96 players. The fund raised over $10,000, and all of the money will be used to support “future junior national champions”.

“My family and I have done a lot in this game, and in my career, to be successful and be a good ambassador,” Bryant said. “My father was a very proud man, so giving him this, since he died, is a great accomplishment.

“These kids are going to go and compete for their country, and not have to worry too much financially. If I can be a part of that, that’s a beautiful thing.”

It is a financial relief that he hopes will propel local juniors to greater heights.

The same heights that Bryant thought was impossible to reach when he started playing at the age of 13.

And while he worked to develop the game, Bryant continued to work as a player on the Canadian billiards scene, one player after another.