A YOUNG man who was previously locked up for arson says he has turned his life around thanks to pool and is now about to represent Wales at an international competition.

Gethin Jones from Blaina has always played pool, but when his life went through a bad patch he stopped taking part in the sport.

When he was 18-years-old he was sentenced to two years detention in a young offenders institution for attempting to set fire to a property in the Southlands area of Blaina in what was reported at the time to be a "revenge" attack.

He pleaded guilty to arson and being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

It was while in detention that he regained interest in the sport as he began to play on the centre's pool table

He said: “I lost interest in pool when I was getting into trouble and when I went to jail. I was in jail for eight months and then had a tag for four months.

“I was playing pool when I was inside and I was playing well. When I came out I joined a team and from there I decided to go on Welsh tours.”

Mr Jones has now been chosen to represent Wales at the European Blackball Association’s Nations Cup in Malta which starts on November 2.

Teams from countries including Australia, Cyprus, England and France will be taking part in the week-long competition, with the finals taking place on November 8.

He said that he is proud that he has been chosen to play for his country.

He explained: “I never thought I would have it in me to play for Wales, and when I saw my name on the team I was over the moon.

"My family are really proud of me. I’m really excited to play because this will be my first time playing pool abroad.”

Pool has given Mr Jones’ life purpose and he says that he has seen huge benefits from playing the sport.

The 23-year-old added: “I regret things I have done in the past. Pool is a way to get out of trouble and keep you occupied. There’s nothing around here to keep youngsters out of trouble.”

He said: “I have made friends from all over through pool. I played at the European championships this year in Bridlington, that’s the biggest competition I’ve done.”

Mr Jones, who is sponsored by local firms Loafa loafa carpentry, MJ Perry deco and Mike Gallagher Propert Solutions, says he will continue to play as he moves up into a new age bracket and he encourages other to take up the sport.

Find out more at eba-pool.org.