The English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (“EPSB”) has announced its Whole Sports Plan in England, bringing together professional, amateur, ladies and disability snooker, as well as successful projects including the Cue Zone into Schools programme.
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: “Snooker is a booming, worldwide sport and as a governing body it is our responsibility to provide a framework for sound sports development. The Whole Sports Plan is exactly that for England. Our ambition is to provide equal opportunities for all and ensure safe and clean environments for participation. It will also align our sport in the creation of elite sportsperson development.”
Read more:
http://www.wpbsa.com/…/english-partnership-for-snooker-and-…
Download the full Whole Sport Plan:
http://www.wpbsa.com/…/…/files/epsb-whole-sport-brochure.pdf
As a long time devotee of the game I am sorry to hear that the ptc seies are now over. Even though it was far from perfect it was at least some tournaments that amateurs could get involved in. There is a desperate shortage of decent playing opportunities for amateurs in this country. In fact I would say that the powers that be in the game has generally shown little regard or imagination to promote the amateur game. This is undoubtedly a major shortcoming in policy. It’s little wonder that the Chinese boys swept the board at q school this year. In fact I am constantly surprised that amateurs in the UK don’t collectively get together and complain about how poor and naff the amateur game is. I can remember a time when players had a choice of proams up and down the country with prize money that was better twenty years ago. The amateur game has gone backwards in a big way and no one wants to address that big elephant in the room. If Mr hearn wants to see the UK as a major force in snooker in the future then he has to do something for the amateurs as well. Leaving it to small organisations with no money and clout would just carry on the status quo. He needs to inject a bit of razzmatazz into the amateur game as well. I think it will be a worthwhile investment to really give the amateur game a boost to make it much more engaging for new players who want to play seriously.