Ellerby, who started her career at age 12 while growing up in England, earned her first title when she was 14. She now holds more than 100 British, U.S. and International titles in 8-ball and 9-ball and is a two-time World and European Team Champion and a former Singles European Champion.

Ellerby’s goal to become the best female billiards player in the world brought her to a new home and stiffer competition in the U.S. in 2001. She earned four top 10 finishes in 2002, her rookie U.S. Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) season, and was ranked first in the Ladies’ Spirit Tour in 2002.

Recently this talented player talked with Foot.com about her career, the importance of foot care in billiards, and how she maintains her fitness for the game by working out away from the table.

Foot.com: Sarah, tell us how you got involved in billiards, and about your career to date.

Ellerby: My brother, Robert wanted to be a Professional Snooker Player. He is so naturally talented. Mum and Dad got him a pool table for Christmas. I just started playing with him. I never got a game off him for about a year! Robert then started playing for the North Yorkshire County Team and I went along to watch him one day. The Ladies team was one short so they asked me if I wanted to play, and I never looked back.....100 titles later over 17 years, I'm here in the U. S. playing on the best Women's Tour in the World, Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA). Last year was my first full year on tour, I went from #48-14 in just under a year and was voted "Rookie of the Year" by AZBilliards.com.

Foot.com: For our American readers especially, what is the difference between snooker and pool?

Ellerby: Snooker is played on a 12 by 6 ft table with 15 reds and 6 colors...green, brown, yellow, pink and black. When you make a red ball you then must go for a color. Each ball carry's so many points. The player with the most points wins the game. 9-Ball Pool is played with 9 numbered balls, 1-9 and racked in a diamond shape. The object of the game is to make all balls in order and finish with the 9-ball to win the game. As long as you hit the lowest numbered ball on the table you can make another ball and keep your turn at the table, so if the lowest numbered ball is the 3 and the 9 ball is over the pocket, you can hit the 3 onto the 9 and win the game.

Foot.com: The last thing most people would think about in terms of billiards is foot care. How important is foot care, or having healthy feet, to the sport of billiards?

Ellerby: It's very important because you're on your feet all the time. My practice sessions can be up to 6 hours and that's stressful on your body, especially your feet. Our events are over 4 days with 64 players. If you get to Saturday and you have already lost a match earlier in the event, you know it's going to be a long day! You may start at 10am and finish at 12am and have played maybe 6-7 matches to get to the TV rounds, so you need to be physically fit and have comfortable shoes. I like a foot spa, after a long day of practice or matches.

Foot.com: Are there specific socks or shoes designed for billiards?

Ellerby: There's nothing tailored to the sport of billiards yet! At the moment I wear a Prada Sport shoe that's flat. I don't really like a heel, as sometimes it affects my balance and stance. I chose the Prada Sport shoes because they were extremely comfortable and they have a rubber sole so you don't slip on the carpet.

Foot.com: Have you ever had any foot conditions or injuries that have affected your game, and if so, how were they treated?

Ellerby: I once had athlete’s foot, from playing pool and putting in the long hours in the wrong shoes that made my feet sweat and get sore. I treated it with Lamisil anti-fungal ointment.

Foot.com: Do billiards players do any kind of strength or fitness training in general, or is improvement based solely on practicing at the table?

Ellerby: I train every day. I'm actually training right now for the 2004 WALT DISNEY WORLD half Marathon. I just completed my first 10-mile run which I'm very proud of. I also use free weights and I circuit train 4 times a week. I feel it's important not only for your stamina but for your strength, as it really does take it out of your back and legs when playing.

Foot.com: Do you have any advice for up and coming billiards players in terms of how to get to the professional level?

Ellerby: The first step, I would say, is to join your local APA (American Pool Players Association) league. APA has over 216,000 members playing all over North America in leagues, and it's a good start. I would then contact a regional tour in your area. This information can be found on WPBA.com. There are around 10 regional tours in the USA where you can qualify for the WPBA Tour. To gain a spot in one of our tour events you have to win a WPBA qualifier.

You have to finish in the top half of the draw on the WPBA Tour 4 times in a 10 tournament cycle to obtain Pro status, then you will have to compete in 80% of WPBA events to become a Touring Professional. It's hard work and takes a lot of dedication but it's worth it when you get there. Just keep having fun and stick with it!

Foot.com: Thank you for talking with us, Sarah, and best of luck on the tour.

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