UK national snooker academy could be launched in Sheffield to develop next generation of talent
A major new sporting project has been launched for snooker, which could soon put Sheffield even more firmly at the heart of the sport’s future.
Sheffield has long been known for being ‘the home of snooker’ having hosted every World Championship at the Crucible Theatre since 1977. And that shows no signs of changing anytime soon with the iconic venue agreeing an extension to show the Championships until ‘at least’ 2045.
The iconic theatre is expected to increase capacity by 50 per cent - an extra 500 seats - with funding from government, Sheffield City Council and private donations all ensuring the venue remains fit for purpose in the years to come.
However, the hard work doesn’t stop there, with Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, revealing plans to launch a National Snooker Academy that will develop the next generation of talent and strengthen the grassroots game.
“I think the door is open now to go and look at a National Academy. Perhaps that will be here in Sheffield, I hope so,” revealed Ferguson, who competed in the World Championships on three occasions as a player during the 1990s.
He added via SportsBloom: “The National Academy for the National governing body is something I'm very passionate about. To bring those young kids in the UK through and give them that elite training programme that I think we deserve. That is certainly a project on the horizon.”
“We've been battling, trying to create projects for Sport England for many years. We're getting that respect. We know we can deliver. We've built a massive global sport on next to nothing. We've been running this sport on shoestrings in the early years.”
Plans to launch a National Snooker Academy come amid concerns around a lack of young British talent emerging through the ranks.
Currently, there are no British players under 30 inside the top 32 in the world rankings, a stark contrast to China, which boasts seven players in that same category.
Ferguson emphasized the importance of an increased push towards investing in structured grassroots. He explained: “A few people have said that about the grassroots of the sport. I mean, you know, the obvious one is we're seeing a lot of young Chinese players coming in. China invests heavily in grassroots sport
“We have a national academy in China, the WPBSA, a British company. We have a national academy in Beijing. And that academy has turned out players like Zhao Xintong. So, you know, it does work investment in national sport.”
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