Des Wilcox's rise to the top in pool

Will Johnston 

Photo: Des Wilcox (L) was quick to praise Kelvin Dunlop (R) for his tuition during his early pool playing days. Photo by: Kevin Jordan. 

New Plymouth’s Des Wilcox credits being around top players for his rise in the country’s pool rankings.  

Last week, the 27-year-old was ranked the top player in the country after a spate of successful North Island events.  

“To be ranked number one is a lifetime achievement,” Wilcox said.  

“I’m super stoked to see my name at the top and it gives me the determination to keep my name their and keep up the good results.”  

Wilcox has been in the final of the last three North Island events in a field of 180 people. He won the tournament for the second time in 2019 but 2020 was cancelled, so in 2021 he went in as the defending champion. He came runner up but took the title this year for a third time. Wilcox accumulated enough ranking points at those tournaments to be ranked first.  

Wilcox’s next tournament is the nationals in October, his first since 2013.  

But the recent success was down to those around him at the New Plymouth Club and was quick to mention former North Island trophy winner Kelvin Dunlop.  

“In my success to where I am today, Kelvin was a big help when I was a young kid, 11 or 12-years-old and just starting out.”  
 
Wilcox said he taught him the basics and was always there for him to play against.  

As he got older, Wilcox started to play against a lot of quality players, including Bret De Faria, the son of championship bowler Craig de Faria.  

“Brett took me under his wing, we’d play a lot together and he would take me to all the competitions New Zealand wide with his brother Tom. Then I just got better and better through the years winning plenty of titles,” he said.  

One of those titles including becoming the youngest North Island winner at 18.  

Growning up, Wilcox feels he learnt the most from being around top player and watching them play.  

Multiple New Zealand champions Glen Coutts was one who Wilcox looked up to.  

“The way he played the game with precision ball control inspired me to play the game like he did.” 

Dunlop said when he saw Wilcox play as an 11-year-old at the club he knew he was something special.  

“He just had that natural style not many players have,” he said.  

“I told him if he kept improving, he will win major titles in New Zealand.”  

But Wilcox isn’t the only player Dunlop has looked after at the club.  

Adam Lilley, formally of New Plymouth now based in Christchurch is ranked fourth in New Zealand was under Dunlop’s watch.  

Wilcox has taken 14-year-old Blake Burnard under his wing. After a short time, he has won the New Plymouth Club singles and junior national pairs.