From the pool table at the Bowlie, all the way to the world championships.
That's the journey Kailab Tyne is about to make as he prepares, to represent Australia at the Blackball Championships in England.
Kailab and his brother Trent both have their eye on the ball when it comes to this sport - similar to pool but played on a slightly different table with tighter pockets and distinct rules.
"The rule set's completely different, it's a more tactical game," Kailab explained.
But the Parkes pool competition is where it all started for Kailab about five years ago, and his brother Trent joined up about three years ago.
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And now it's giving both brothers the opportunity to represent their State and Kailab his country.
An invitation to this year's national championships changed everything for Kailab, he represented NSW and finished in the top 50.
He was happy enough with that result alone ... then he received a letter inviting him to represent Australia in England.
“I could not believe it," he said
"It’s an incredible feeling and a lot of excitement, pride and nerves to go along with it.
"Getting selected to play for your country is a huge honor, representing both a personal achievement and a reflection of all the hard work and dedication I have put into cue sports."
It's a unique moment and an opportunity he'll grasp with both hands.
Pushing him in training has been his brother Trent, who's off to a State Cup contest this weekend as he also prepares to represent NSW in the 2025 nationals in Rockhampton.
Both are excited for the opportunities ahead.
Playing against the best in the country, in the charged competitive atmosphere, is incredible.
"You reach a whole new skill level," Trent said.
"It's so much more than just putting a ball in the pocket."
There are 11 days of competition and it's a multi-game format with competitors in a race to seven wins.
"Some games you just don't even get a shot at the table," Kailab explained.
"Against some of the better players, they can pot a ball on break and you just stay sitting in your chair for the game you don't get a shot.
"That's the way it works, so you've got to do it back to them."
In the team format you play against each member of the other team with the for-and-against considered at the end of the day.
It's a very different atmosphere, he added, with your team cheering you on.
The cameras are on, as it's all livestreamed on Cue Ball TV on youtube, and the players' focus narrows to that table.
