Thrilled to be back on the competitive baize, CAM-backed Richard Gifford this month entered the European 8 Ball Championships in Killarney, Ireland ranked 16th for the 2022 World Championships.

A full week of pool ahead of him entering the Men’s singles and representing Wales in their A team, Gifford had everything to play for in his much awaited return to competitive international 8 ball pool.

Sponsored by CAM Systems for the 2022 season, the investment has enabled Gifford to concentrate on his development as a pool player, spending more time on the practice table working on situational play and cue skills.

Straight into round 2 thanks to a bye, Gifford was initially feeling the nerves against Irish competitor Pat O'Leary. 2-0 down, Gifford went on to pull off a clearance and then never looked back; confidently winning the round 2-6.

Through to the last 64, Gifford described his next round against Northern Irish John Kerr as a “cagey affair from the start.”

“From the breaks the balls were rubbish and tied up. It was all tactics and neither Kerr or I could get into a flow. The last frame took 30 minutes to complete!”

The 6-4 victory was finally Gifford’s when he successfully screwed back the white the length of the table, to land the cue ball perfectly; setting himself up to finish on the last ball.

The next round, the last 32, was a convincing win against Scottish Gary Chater, scoring 6-0. Moving Gifford onto the last 16 and a difficult draw.

Dejan Grech of Malta, was the hot favourite for the European Championship and his performance put Gifford through his paces.

“I was 3-1 up. I had a very tough black, to go 4-1 up. But I rattled it and Grech cleared up to take the frame. Followed by the next 2 frames straight from the break.”

Gifford only then returned to the table, 4-3 down and the balls just didn’t play in his favour. Grech went on to win the match 6-4 and later the tournament, taking the title European Men’s Singles Champion. Overall Gifford finished an impressive 9th out of 256 competing in the European Championship.

But the 2022 pool season is only just starting for Gifford and it’s CAM’s sponsorship that’s making it possible as Gifford explains.

“The Ultimate Pool Challenger Series kicks off in March and later in the year there’s the WEPF World Championships in Ireland. It’s thanks to CAM’s sponsorship it’s been possible for me to continue playing at this high level.”

Now winding up the practice play for the Ultimate Pool Challenger Series, Gifford is sounding and feeling more confident.

“Coming away from the Europeans I’m feeling more positive. At the Euros I spent some practice sessions with former World champion and Welsh team mate, Tom Cousins. With his help, I’ve come to realise I play better when I put myself out there. Be willing to miss. Be bold, have faith and take the risk.”

Catch more from Gifford in the Ultimate Pool ‘Challenger Series’, as it kicks off on Friday 4th of March in Blackpool, with TV coverage on FreeSports.

Yesterday we heard from CAM’s digital marketing apprentice, Lois Murphy, as she interviewed Director Ryan Naughton, and Marketing Manager, Hazel Shaw. (If you missed it, you can catch up here!) Continuing the celebration of all things apprentice for #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we turn the spotlight on Lois, in a feature not too imaginatively named … #AskAnApprentice

Ryan: So Lois, why an apprenticeship in digital marketing?

Lois: Honestly it felt the right thing for me to do. I looked into digital marketing and what it entailed, and knew that it was what I wanted to do. I went with my instinct. You have the chance to help improve and grow a business using technology. Digital tools are always growing and evolving, so there is always new skills to learn.

Hazel: Which parts of your apprenticeship have you enjoyed so far?

Lois: I have honestly enjoyed every part of it. There is always a chance to learn something new and then being able to apply what you have learned. Then getting to see the impact your work has had. It’s always rewarding.

Ryan: What’s the best and worst things about a fully remote apprenticeship?

Lois: Hmmm… the best thing about a fully remote apprenticeship is that even though I am at home, I am still able to create all the content that is needed. I am still able to communicate with all the members of staff if I need to.

The worst thing … that’s trickier. Not being able to see everyone and being in an office you have limited exposure to what that side of work is like.

Ryan: How did you choose your college provider?

Lois: I chose my college provider with the help of Hazel. She’d worked with TDM previously. As both the office and my college are a 250-mile trip away from me, a fully remote apprenticeship seemed fitting. TDM had moved online, so they seemed like the right learning provider. Despite being online, you still feel like you are in a learning environment with knowledge modules and workshops. We have regular catchups with our coaches. Honestly there is nothing more you could ask from TDM.

Ryan: What types of digital marketing are you doing on a day to day basis?

Lois: No day is the same! There are always new challenges and always something new to learn! I get to apply my college knowledge through a variety of different tasks. Most recently, I have been helping record our current website’s metrics in preparation for the new website. I have spent some time focusing on our CRM system and improving that so it can become an effective marketing and account management tool. An apprenticeship is all about learning so as your knowledge improves, the tasks change and you become trusted to do more.

Hazel: You appeared to really enjoy the work we did on CAM’s sponsorship of Dan Zelos?

Lois: Yes. Really loved that. It’s not every apprentice that gets to work on the sponsorship of a winning racing car driver! So more practically I was authoring social media content and post-race write-ups. Having spent the season, carefully tracking his every move, we were honestly so excited when Dan won the 2021 Mini Challenge Cup.  

Hazel: So what advice would you give to someone who was thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

Lois: If you have found something that you love doing, then do it! Why not? As long as you are confident that is the right thing for you to do and you think you are ready for work then seize the opportunity. Your knowledge will only continue to grow, and you will be able to apply what you learn as you go along.

As the leading software solution provider to the UK’s tyre industry, CAM is all about digital innovation. This week the nation celebrates National Apprenticeship Week, so it seems fitting that CAM’s digital marketing apprentice Lois Murphy takes the lead and gets to ask the questions. Read on as Lois turns the tables and interviews CAM’s Director of Operations, Ryan Naughton and Marketing Manager, Hazel Shaw, in a feature Lois has called… #AskAnEmployer

Lois: Why did you choose to take on an apprentice?

Ryan: If we’re honest, having a digital marketing apprenticeship wasn’t really on the radar. But Lois had undertaken a series of remote work experience days with us and had proved herself super useful to have around.

Hazel: When you have someone asking questions, it forces you to consider your answers and your reasoning. It makes you think again and stops you just doing it the way you’ve always done it. Put simply, having Lois around makes our mini marketing team work smarter and do better.

Lois: So what does CAM get from my apprenticeship?

Ryan: Aside from the extra help with practical tasks, we also benefit from the different perspective – a more contemporary viewpoint. Digital marketing isn’t standing still and we can’t either. Lois uses digital tools and social media in a totally different way to we do, so that insight is super useful.

Lois: Lots of people ask me how much of my time I spend working. Can you explain from your point of view?

Hazel: Lois’ apprenticeship is for 30 hours and she ‘works’ for CAM for 80% of that week. The other 20% is more official learning via her learning provider, TDM. But in reality every day is learning and the challenge for us to keep channelling Lois’ energy and enthusiasm into practical projects that benefit her learning and help us achieve our aims and live our values. Just in this last week, Lois has helped us benchmark our website’s stats ready for its replacement, researched and interviewed our new sponsored sports personality and has been improving our CRM.

Ryan: So does Lois take her turn on the tea round?

Hazel: Hardly! As you know, Lois is located 250 miles from the office and we both work remotely. Lois is rubbish at making the tea! 😊 But through covid, everyone at CAM has been remote, so it’s made no difference that we don’t sit adjacent.

Ryan: Being a digital apprenticeship has truly lent itself to working from home and not being restricted by geography, has enabled us to choose an apprentice from the widest pool of talent.

Lois: Where do you see me going next?

Hazel: We are a small marketing team and I am very contentious that Lois’ learning is only as interesting as me. The real value is when she takes what she’s learnt at CAM and applies and adds it to another business. Layering that learning across lots of organisations and markets is where the depth of understanding comes and expertise builds.

Ryan: And the tyre industry is more diverse than those outside it might first imagine. For a skilled digital marketer with industry knowledge, there is huge scope for career progression and to make an impact in the tyre businesses you work in.

What words of advice would you have for other businesses considering taking on an apprentice?

Ryan: Do it! Seize the opportunity to bring young people into your business as their contribution will always add value. Successful businesses will never miss the chance to continue growing and apprenticeships are ideal for creating a structure of progression as young people begin to build their careers.