Month: June 2017

Another interview about “Framed” and snooker

Monique Interview, Media ,

This time found and pointed to me by AMT.

Thank you AMT!

You can listen to it here


RonnieRadio2.19.06.2017

Ronnie was in really good spirit in this one!

Not sure I agree with him about the reasons why the class of 92 – himself, John Higgins and Mark Williams – lasted into their 40th whilst Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry didn’t. First because in many ways Steve DID last, he had a bad dip in form but then he came back and was still playing at a very high standard well into his 50th. Stephen Hendry’s “problem” was that he never wanted to adapt and change his playing style, and at a point his opponents had found the answer to his type of game. Ronnie on the contrary “reinvented” himself several times along his career. He always was and fundamentally remains an attacking flair player, but he can and is willing to play tactically when he needs to. He learned to compromise, Hendry never did.

A very, very nice interview with Ronnie

Monique Interview, Media ,

The snippet I published yesterday is part of a nearly 20 minutes interview with Ronnie on Radio 5. Many thanks to Silvry, who unearthed the whole interview and pointed it to me; here it is for you to listen to. Ronnie’s bit starts at about  2:10. The interview will remain available on the BBC Radio 5 site for another 29 days.

It’s great stuff, don’t miss it. Ronnie explains how he came about “Framed” and gives the listeners a very good insight on his perspective on life and his snooker.

 

Ronnie’s life in a film?

Monique Film, Media ,

Not for the first time, the media suggest that a film could be made about Ronnie’s life. It seems that Ronnie has indeed taken a step towards making this a real possiblility. Here is what he told BBC5 today

O’Sullivan told 5 live:

“I’ve sold my life rights away to a company in America and a company in England so it’s down to them now whether they want to produce it or not”.

After being asked who would play him he said Jack O’Connell “is quite up for playing the part” and it would be “fantastic” if it happened.

Watch the full clip here

There are quite a few similarities between Jack O’Connell’s life and Ronnie’s. Indeed both had a troubled youth and both “lost” their father as teenagers, albeit in different ways. Both have Irish ancestry and were raised as Roman Catholics.

Ronnie got it wrong though … Jack is from Derby, not Sheffield, but, hey! It’s only half an hour away by train!

 

More about the Hong Kong Masters 2017

Monique Professional snooker tournament

This was published by Worldsnooker today: 

Monday 19 Jun 2017 11:35AM

Ronnie O’Sullivan will face John Higgins in the first round of the Hong Kong Masters next month as many of the world’s top stars gather for the invitation event.

Organized by the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council Co. Ltd. (HKBSCC), subvented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and sanctioned by World Snooker Limited (WSL), the Hong Kong Masters 2017 will be staged at Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium from 20 to 23 July, 2017.

First round draw:

Barry Hawkins v Marco Fu (July 20th at 2pm)
Mark Selby v Neil Robertson (July 20th at 7pm)
Judd Trump v Shaun Murphy (July 21st at 2pm)
Ronnie O’Sullivan v John Higgins (July 21st at 7pm)
Not only will it be one of the major celebrating events of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, it is also the most-anticipated snooker event in Hong Kong in decades, featuring eight of the world’s best snooker players in the main tournament. There will also be exhibition games on July 23rd featuring legends Jimmy White and Stephen Hendry as well as Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, the women’s World Champion.

Mr. Danny Mak, Chairman of HKBSCC and the Hong Kong Masters 2017 Organizing Committee, said: “HKBSCC is very grateful for the support from Home Affairs Bureau, LCSD, Information Services Department, our sponsors and partners. Snooker is always a popular event among sports fans in Hong Kong and no doubt it will be a world-class event that will definitely be enjoyed by all. To further promote sports-for-all, we will invite a local youth team to meet the players and learn from these masters. We will also invite different schools and organisations to enjoy the event for free to widen their horizon. As NowTV is the official host broadcaster, public can watch the games though television, smart phone, tablet or computer to join the fun of this remarkable tournament and cheer for Hong Kong players.’

A total of eight elite players will contest the Main Tournament, including some of the world’s very best:

• Current World Champion and world number one – Mark Selby
• Four-time World Champion and world number two – John Higgins
• 2017 Players Championship winner and world number three – Judd Trump
• 2017 World Grand Prix winner and world number five – Barry Hawkins
• Former World Champion and world number seven – Neil Robertson
• Former World Champion and world number eight – Shaun Murphy
• Five-time World Champion – Ronnie O’Sullivan
• Hong Kong’s top player and world number six – Marco Fu

These players will be competing for the title as well as a total prize money of £315,000. The Exhibition Game will take place on the last day of the tournament, where Whirlwind White and seven-time World Champion Hendry will play against local elite player On Yee, showcasing the charisma of the sport of Snooker.

Mr. Raymond Fong, Tournament Director of the Hong Kong Masters 2017, said: “The Hong Kong Masters 2017 will be held and regulated in accordance with the standards applicable to all current televised professional snooker tournaments.

“The Main Tournament will adopt a knockout system. There will be four quarter-finals on 20 and 21 July that are best of nine frames, and two semi-finals and the final on 22 and 23 July that are best of 11 frames.

“For the Exhibition Game, the two legendary players and On Yee will compete in the format of Pot Black, which was extremely popular back in the 1980s.”

On Yee, Ambassador for the Hong Kong Masters 2017, expressed her excitement after unveiling the line-up. She said: “It is beyond my wildest dreams that I can play with the two legendary players Jimmy White and Stephen Hendry in a real match. Hong Kong Masters 2017 symbolises the evolution of Hong Kong Snooker. Through this exceptional event, I hope Hong Kong people will know more about Snooker, be part of the game and cheer for me and Marco at the venue or from home.”

The Hong Kong Masters 2017 has received tremendous support from various sponsors and partners including: official table supplier STAR, official ball supplier Aramith, official cloth supplier Strachan, official hotel the Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel, official apparel TUXEE, official water Aqua Pacific, official host broadcaster Now TV and media partner South China Morning Post.

Tickets for the Hong Kong Masters 2017 will be opened for sale from 22 June. For the quarter-finals on 20 and 21 July, ticket price ranges from HK$100, $200 and $300. For semi-finals and final on 22 and 23 July, ticket price ranges from HK$150, $300 and $450.

A 50% discount will be offered to full-time students, the disabled and seniors over the age of 60 (Discount is not applicable for the $450 tickets on 23 July). Tickets will be available at various outlets of URBTIX as well as via online, phone app and hotline booking. For more information on ticketing, please visit http://www.snookermasters.hk. For more updates on the Hong Kong Masters 2017, be sure to follow the event official website at http://www.snookermasters.hk and Facebook page @hksnookermasters.

Ronnie will play in the Hong Kong Masters 2017

Monique Professional snooker tournament

According to this article, retweeted by Matt Huart, who works for WPBSA and is a very reliable source, Ronnie will take part in the Hong Kong Masters 2017, a tournament that is part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the reunification of Hong Kong with China

Stellar lineup including ‘Rocket Ronnie’ and world No 1 Selby announced for inaugural Hong Kong Masters snooker tournament

World’s best to compete at HK$3.14 million tournament marking 20th anniversary of territory handover.Eight of the world’s best snooker players will make the trip to Hong Kong alongside two legends of the sport to participate in a tournament marking the 20th anniversary of the territory’s historic handover in July.

Seven of the top eight ranked players plus crowd favourite and five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will participate in the July event it was announced at a media conference on Monday.

Reigning world champion and number one ranked Mark Selby will also compete at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium competition, which will offer prize money totalling £315,000 (HK$3.14 million).

The draw for the quarter-finals of the contest was made at the media launch and saw the ‘Jester from Leicester’ paired with Australia’s Neil Robertson.

World number two John Higgins will face O’Sullivan, while Players Championship winner Judd Trump will take on former world champion Shaun Murphy.

Local favourite and number six ranked Marco Fu Ka-chun was drawn against world number five Barry Hawkins.

“It’s not very often we have the chance to watch world class players in live action,” said the 26-year-old. “Fans should definitely take it.”

As part of the event, Ng will face snooker legends Jimmy White and Stephen Hendry in exhibition matches on the sidelines of the tournament.

Hong Kong’s two-time women’s world champion Ng On-yee was on hand to help with the draw and urged snooker fans to make the most of a rare opportunity to see the world’s best in the flesh.

“Neither player is of my generation, but my father provided a lot of taped footage of these two greats for me to watch when I was young. It is beyond my wildest dreams to play with such legendary players.”

Ng, who competed in the qualifying rounds of the men’s world championship earlier this year, used the media conference as a chance to appeal for authorities to bring more world class snooker to the city.

“The Hong Kong Masters 2017 symbolises the evolution of Hong Kong snooker … I hope the government supports efforts to stage more international events of this class in Hong Kong,” said Ng.

The only player in the top eight that will not appear at the July 20-23 event is the mainland’s Ding Junhui, the world’s number four ranked player. But his absence opens the door for the maverick O’Sullivan to return to Asia were he enjoys massive support.

The Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council (HKBSCC) first announced the event last month claiming they would be inviting the world’s top players to participate.

Danny Mak, chairman of the HKBSCC, said the staging of the tournament was testament to the progress of Hong Kong players on the international stage.

“Hong Kong players have earned international recognition over the years, however Hong Kong is yet to host a major snooker event owing to limited resources,” said Mak.

“We are grateful for support from the Home Affairs Bureau, LCSD, Information Services Department and our sponsors.”

Tickets for the competition priced from HK$100 to HK$450 are scheduled to go on sale from June 22.

HongKongMasters2017-Draw

Clearly not the easiest draw for Ronnie, but that’s to be expected when it’s the top eight that gets invites. That said I’m a bit  surprised that Ding declined …

Paperback “Framed” launched

Monique Book, Media ,

bradford15june2017

Going by the many comments on twitter the event, and Ronnie’s story telling skills, were highly appreciated, as was the fact that he made himself available for  the fans. It was packed and VIPs were treated to a signed cue. Ronnie BTW wasn’t the only sporting celebrity in the room …

Pictures shared by Jason Francis on twitter:

And today, they paid a visit to the Northern Snooker Center in Leeds, owned by the Lines family, and home of many pros. It’s a beautiful club.

Ron&PhilLeeds16.062017

image shared by David Grace on FB

And in the evening he even played some snooker at Hanging Heaton CC

report on this exhibition by the Dewsbury Reporter

Snooker legend O’Sullivan thrills sell out crowd with exhibition

One of the greatest snooker players of all time thrilled a sell out crowd as Ronnie O’Sullivan played an exhibition at Hanging Heaton Cricket Club last Friday.

The event had taken 12 months to plan by club steward Pete Jagger and attracted snooker players and followers from across the area as over 170 people packed into the clubhouse.

Huddersfield based family run business the Billiard Company installed a professional standard table into the main function room, with O’Sullivan playing eight frames against local players.

BBC snooker commentator John Virgo compared the evening and provided commentary to all eight frames.

The five-time World Champion produced an entertaining display and maintained his superb record of making a century break in every exhibition he has ever played.

O’Sullivan faced former English CIU Champion Wayne Cooper in a best of five match, which saw both men produce some excellent snooker. O’Sullivan produced a brilliant 79 clearance break to take the first frame but Cooper fought back in style as he made a magnificent 80 break to level the match. The third frame was nip and tuck as O’Sullivan built a 64-point lead but Cooper twice forced snookers only for The Rocket to close it out and win 96-40. O’Sullivan had the crowd on the edge of their seats as he potted five reds and five blacks at the start of the fourth frame only to see his hopes of a maximum 147 break ended when he missed the sixth black, although he went on to win 77-0 and establish an unassailable 3-1 lead. Cooper began the fifth and final frame superbly as he potted five reds and five blacks before missing a difficult long red. Cooper added a 42 break later in the frame to win it 83-15 and earned him high praise from O’Sullivan.

Hanging Heaton member Chris Swaine won an inter club competition for the once in a lifetime chance to play a frame against O’Sullivan. Swaine earned rapturous applause when he took a 1-0 lead before O’Sullivan went on to win the frame 98-14.

O’Sullivan then met Bradford’s Mark Slater, winner of a qualifying tournament. Breaks of 46 and 51 from O’Sullivan, sandwiched between a 29 break by Slater, saw him take the frame 97-29.

O’Sullivan saved his best for the final frame of the evening as he met Wakefield St Michaels player Anthony Hebblethwaite. After a cagey opening which saw O’Sullivan 9-2 ahead, The Rocket produced a stunning 108 break to the delight of the crowd.

As O’Sullivan left to a standing ovation, Virgo announced that his final break had maintained a record of making a century in every exhibition he has played. A snooker cue, donated by The Billiard Supply Company, and signed by O’Sullivan raised £450 in an auction, which will be donated to cancer charities. The winning bidder was Joe Brennan of Chem Scaffolding Ltd.

Ahead of the paperback “Framed” launch …

Monique Book, Interview, Media , ,

bradford15june2017

Ronnie will be in Bradford tonight, speaking about his life, and this event is part of the promotion around the launch of the paperback version of his first novel “Framed”.

In the same context, yesterday, he was at the BBC2 studio, for an interview, which is now available on the BBC2 site as a podcast. Many thanks to Silvry who was first on the ball and spotted it!

It’s a nice, down to earth interview, where Ronnie explains that, as weird as his childhood environment might have been, it was normality for him as a child.

Pictures shared on Facebook by Jason Francis: