Chance to take on snooker’s greatest

THE South West Snooker Academy in Quedgeley is giving amateur players the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and world champion Neil Robertson.

Dubbed snooker’s version of the FA Cup, the World Open allows qualifying competitions to be staged by different clubs around the UK – including the new centre in Quedgeley.

Each competition will produce one winner who will go through to the professional qualifying rounds at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield from August 21 to 24.

They will then be battling for a place in the televised stages at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow from September 18 to 26, when the sport’s star names will be fighting for the trophy and a prize fund of £500,000.

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “This is a chance of a lifetime for anyone who has dreamed of playing snooker on the biggest stage to step up and show us what you’ve got.

“We’re encouraging anyone who fancies their chances to get in touch with the nearest club staging a competition, enter it, get practicing and then see how far you can get.

“There have to be 20 club players going through to the professional stages and it could be you. It would be fantastic if just one of those got all the way to the TV phase.”

In addition, the qualifying event at the South West Snooker Academy will have its own rewards.

First prize is paid entrance into the World Open and a six-month scholarship at the academy.

The runner-up will receive a three-month scholarship, with the third and fourth placed finishers receiving a free day’s practice at the academy with coaching tips and the chance to play a professional.

The qualifying event is unlimited and the closing date for entries is noon this Friday, July 30. The draw will then be made at 12.30pm.

The South West Snooker Academy qualifier will consist of a best of five, straight knockout tournament in keeping with the format of the World Open.

Matches will be played on Championship Star tables fitted by World Snooker table fitters and will therefore replicate the match conditions of the World Open.

All entrants will be given an hour’s free practice time on one of the practice tables once they have been knocked out of the competition.

Entry forms are available at www.southwestsnookeracademy.com.