Jackson Page is refocused, recharged and relieved after Q School success
Phil Haigh – Thursday 3 Jun 2021
Jackson Page came through Q School on 1 June (Picture: Getty Images)
Jackson Page won his place back on snooker’s main tour through Q School this week and the scare of briefly losing his professional status has given him a renewed motivation and focus to fulfil his immense potential.
The 19-year-old has been seen as one of the sport’s brightest young talents for years, catching the eye at just 15 when he won two matches at the 2017 Welsh Open.
He turned pro in 2019 and it didn’t quite go to plan, slipping back off the tour this year, but that has not dampened Page’s confidence in his ability or whether he has a future as a professional.
Far from celebrating his progression through Q School at the earliest opportunity this week, Page feels he should be on tour and it is more a feeling of relief that he has achieved what he expected of himself.
‘I’m relieved, I didn’t have a great season last year so relieved to be able to start again, have another crack and hopefully play better this time,’ Page told Metro.co.uk.
‘I haven’t really celebrated, I just feel like I should be there anyway, it’s not so much a celebration, more of a relief and happy that I’m still there.
‘I was actually looking forward to Q School because I had a bad year on tour so I wanted to see where my game was at, compared to before the tour.
‘It was nice to go straight through and do it pretty comfortably in the end. I was really happy and pleased with myself, because on the last day I started to play some good stuff as well, so that was a bonus.’
Page had a tricky run to regain his tour card, beating former professionals Michael Judge, Soheil Vahedi and Michael Georgiou in the deciding match in Sheffield.
However, any game at Q School can be a huge challenge, given the pressure of continuing your career in the game and Page found his first match against Belgian Daan Leyssen his toughest test.
‘It’s not easy, you’ve got so many players who could potentially turn you over if you’re not on your game. It is tough,’ he said. ‘I worked my way into the tournament, started pretty bad but got better with every game, which was a bonus, but it’s really tough.
‘The first game there was a bit of danger because I was really, really struggling, I felt so uncomfortable. I managed to sneak through and I had control of most of the rest of the games.
‘I don’t really know what happened, I felt so uncomfortable on the table, I almost felt like I’d never picked up a cue, I don’t know why, I honestly don’t.
‘I’ve put so many hours in, been working on my fitness, I’ve been doing everything. It was just a weird one, only the first couple of frames really, I got into it then, but it was a strange one because it’s not really happened before. I’m just happy to get through.
‘I didn’t know anything about him [Leyssen]. His potting was very good, potted a fair few long balls, he could play. His safety just let him down. A couple of years ago you could have a few plum draws but now it’s 99% very strong, they can play.’
Page feels he is steadily improving in all departments (Picture: Getty Images)
Page has been working hard on and off the table in preparation for Q School, getting his game and himself in good shape.
Looking at the likes of Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan at the top of the game, the Welshman felt that getting fitter would benefit him and a new approach has seen him lose nearly two stone in recent weeks.
‘I’ve done a lot of dieting, eating the right things,’ Jackson explained. ‘I like to play a game of golf in the evenings. I can go up the mountain next to my house now the nights are later, I’ve been doing a fair bit of walking.
‘I’m almost two stone down now, my waistcoat is quite loose. It’s a nice feeling, lifts you up, it’s great. I want to lose a bit more, I’m always going to be a bigger lad, but I can be slimmer.
‘Look at Judd, he’s ripped, his fitness couldn’t be any better and look what he’s doing. You’ve got to look at the top boys – Ronnie and his running – and think that’s the way forward. You’ve got to try and replicate what they’re doing because they are there for a reason.’
It is easy to forget that Page is still a teenager, given that he has been around for a number of years already, and he feels that it has been typical teenage ill-discipline that has held him back in the pro ranks so far.
The youngster believes he has put that behind him now and his new regime will see him succeed where he struggled for results over the last two years.
‘My first year on tour it wasn’t too bad. I won every game I should win and then lost to players higher than me in the rankings,’ he said. ‘It was okay.
‘But then the second year was bad. I had a good start in the first tournament, last 16 at the European Masters, and after that it weren’t very good.
‘A few weeks before the World Championship qualifiers my manager gave me a bit of a kick up the butt, he said, “You’ve not been practicing as much as you should be.”
Page burst onto the scene in 2017 (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I’m usually eight hours a day on the table. It wasn’t even always the hours but the times I was going to the club. I’d get over at 1pm, 2pm, which is no good. I’m still a teenager so I wanted to stay in bed all day, get over at 1pm and play through the night, but it’s no good.
‘I’ve changed my life around now. I’m up early, shower and get to the club early and it’s just better. I lacked the discipline last season but now I’ve got it and hopefully I can improve. You feel better for getting up and getting out early.
‘I’m still starting out really, I started my first tournament when I was 15, starting quite young. I am improving and hopefully these next two years I can get in the 64, hopefully I can do it in one, then shoot up from there.’
The ‘kick up the butt’ from his manager appears to have done the trick and snapped Page out from any complacency he felt from enjoying success at such a young age.
‘I think last year I almost thought I’d made it, or I was acting like that.I was going to golf, taking half days and it was just no good and I admit that. But now I’m more disciplined so hopefully it’s going to go a lot better.’
Mark Williams has been something of a mentor for Page in his young career (Picture: Getty Images)
Page has been under the wing of three-time world champion Mark Williams during his snooker journey, with the pair regular practice partners at home in Wales.
While the experience of playing with the legend of the baize is priceless, the youngster admits that he might have to turn trips to the golf course a bit more often and keep plugging away at his snooker while the veteran enjoys himself.
‘I’ve spoke to Mark a few times [since Q School], he’s been nagging me now to get back on the golf course with him for a couple of days,’ said Page.
‘When the season’s up and running, we’ll go over [to the club] at 10am and Mark will probably finish around 2pm or 3pm. It’s most of the day, he does play, but at the same time he could go weeks on end without playing.
‘It doesn’t really work for me. Last season I was finishing when Mark finished and then going to golf. Obviously I love hanging out with Mark and I still will, but I’ve got to be a bit stricter with myself on the table and I will.
‘I’ve realised now what it takes, it takes a lot of work to get anywhere near where you want to be.’
This is a very mature interview from Jackson. As he mentioned he started playing professional snooker at a very young age and impressed early on. No wonder, he was elated. But playing as a wildcard in your “home” tournament as a 15 years old schoolkid is a very diffrent to playing all season long to make a living and to keep your professional status. There is a learning curve, there are responsibilities, there are serious consequences if you can’t win enough. It does take time, mental strength and hard work to grow up from being an extremely talented kid to becoming an efficient professional. If this interview is anything to go by, Jackson is on the right track and has good people around him to support him im the process. Good luck Jackson!
As we face an exceptionally long gap between the World Championship and the start of the season, it’s good to see a few persons/clubs’ initiatives to get pro and amateurs playing
Matches start 9.30am
Best of 7’s all the way through
Dress code – Smart casuals (shorts & slippers won’t be allowed)
Please note, once you have sent in your request to enter, we will then send you the confirmation followed by the bank details to pay your entry.
Strictly the first 32 to enter and pay will be confirmed. Players won’t be confirmed until we receive your entry fees.
Final – will be on Live stream all over the world!
To enter please message us on Facebook or email djhsnookeracademy@outlook.com
And some fans having time on their hands are putting it to good use.
Snooker Scene podcast listener Matt Tresco has compiled a Masters almanac, very much in the vein of Chris Downer’s Crucible almanac. It features every conceivable fact about the tournament and can be downloaded for free at the following link: https://mastersalmanac.blogspot.com#almanac
I have downloaded it. Thank you Matt Tresco for this interesting document.
This year’s Q-School results triggered a lot of discussions about the state of the amateur game, and the shortage of opportunities for young players to hone their skills by playing competitive snooker.
This event is the first of the SNOOKER LEGENDS CUES OF TOMORROW- SUMMER CUP,
SUMMER CUP U21’S £1500 WINNER! £4150 PRIZE POT!
Held at The Crucible in Reading 26-30th July 2021
Open to all players of any gender or nationality providing they hold amateur status and are at the correct age on or before the first days play of 26th July 2021.
Capacity of the event is 32.
Players will earn ranking points based on the frames they win.
At the conclusion of the groups the top 4 in each group list will be invited into the Final Day where the Champion will be crowned.
In the event more than one player is tied on the same ranking points the following criteria will be used to define group position
Both groups are randomly drawn at the start of the event.
Tournament notes
• The 32 entries will be randomly drawn into two groups of 16
• Every player will be guaranteed 15 matches, 3 on Monday, 4 on Tuesday to Thursday
• All matches are best of 3 with all three frames played in every match
• Matches are played at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm and 4pm each day
• Every frame won is a ranking point.
• At the end of match ‘15’ on Thursday 29th the top 4 in each group qualify for Friday Final Stages.
• The event then becomes a knockout with the Winner of Group A playing the player who finished in position 4 in Group B. So 1v4, 2 v 3
• Finals day (Friday) is best of 5 at Quarters, Semis and Final but of course not all 5 frames are played.
• Players understand matches are not officiated although if their match is selected for streaming it will have a referee
• A ‘roving’ referee will be in place to assist with any decisions that arise.
• The full miss rule is played
• Dress code will be suit style trousers, polo shirt with collar and proper shoes (not trainers)
• The club has air conditioning and Costa Coffee on site, it will serve hot and cold food.
Prize Money
Winner £1500 and Cup & Medal
Runner up £750 & Medal
Semi Finals £400
Quarter Finals £250
Highest Break £100
• All prize money will be paid within 14 days into the players designated bank account.
Entry Fee £250
Please contact Jason@snookerlegends.co.uk if interested. Limited Spaces
And these are the full terms and conditions
All events in the SNOOKER LEGENDS CUES OF TOMORROW- SUMMER CUP, staged by ROKiT Events Ltd, are subject to the following Standard Conditions of Entry which are subject to change at the discretion of Snooker Legends without notice.
Please be reminded that all players are responsible for keeping Snooker Legends up to date with their current email address.
Entry Criteria: The Snooker Legends Cues of Tomorrow is open to all players of any gender or nationality providing they hold amateur status and are at the correct age on or before the first days play of 26th July 2021.
This means to enter you must still be 20 years of age on the 26th July 2021
All entries are subject to SNOOKER LEGENDS approval and we can refuse and refund the entry from any event to any player without giving a reason. Anyone found to not be eligible on the day of play will be disqualified from the event and lose their entrance fee. Although we are independent from all National Governing Bodies anyone who is currently serving any ban or WPBSA suspension is not eligible to enter.
Players can purchase one place in the event as long as the event is not full or past its closing date. Capacity of the event is 32. Snooker Legends reserve the right to compile a reserve list.
Players will earn ranking points based on the frames they win. At the conclusion of the groups the top 4 in each group list will be invited into the Final Day where the Champion will be crowned.
In the event more than one player is tied on the same ranking points the following criteria will be sued to define group position
1, One frame shootout if two players
2, If three players are tied a round robin one frame of 6 reds
3, If tied after that a round robin black ball respot will decide who progresses
4, If 4 players are tied then a random draw 6 reds semi final and then final will decide.
5, IF the only decision to be made is finishing position of the qualifiers then head to head will be used to define place 1-4 as all players will have qualified for finals day anyway.
Both groups are randomly drawn at the start of the event.
Tournament notes
• The 32 entries will be randomly drawn into two groups of 16
• Every player will be guaranteed 15 matches, 3 day from Monday to Thursday
• All matches are best of 3 with all three frames played in every match
• Matches are played at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm and 4pm each day to allow the club to have its tables back in the evenings for normal operations.
• Players will be able to play in the evenings by hiring tables at the clubs rates if they require practice or more games with other players.
• Every frame won is a ranking point.
• At the end of match ‘15’ on Thursday 29th the top 4 in each group qualify for Friday Final Stages.
• The event then becomes a knockout with the Winner of Group A playing the player who finished in position 4 in Group B. So 1v4, 2 v 3
• Finals day (Friday) is best of 5 at Quarters, Semis and Final but of course not all 5 frames are played.
• Players understand matches are not officiated although if their match is selected for streaming it will have a referee
• A ‘roving’ referee will be in place to assist with any decisions that arise.
• The full miss rule is played
• Dress code will be suit style trousers, polo shirt with collar and proper shoes (not trainers)
• The club has air conditioning.
• Snooker legends reserve the right to place two logos on the players, players can also wear two logos of their own for the event.
• Players will agree to promote the event on any social media they have
• Players will agree to give interviews if asked
Prize Money
Winner £1500 and Cup
Runner up £750
Semi Finals £400
Quarter Finals £250
Highest Break £100
• All prize money will be paid within 14 days into the players designated bank account.
• The Cup remains the property of the tour and must be returned after one year.
Entry Fee £250 with £30 payable to secure your place. Rest is due June 1
• If a player is under 16 all communications must be with their parent or guardian.
• The deposit is non refundable and you understand if you do not pay the balance on request you lose the deposit and your place in the event.
All players understand, and accept, that qualifiers are played in a snooker club and whereas every effort will be made to provide the best standard of tables, we cannot replicate professional tournament table conditions. We will work with all clubs to provide the best conditions we can. No match is guaranteed a referee, a roving designated event referee will help with any disputed decisions and all black ball re spots.
The Event is staged in a WPBSA 147 Clubs and all clubs hold a Safeguarding Children’s Policy. Any coaches present will hold a WPBSA Qualification and have a valid DBS Check.
Please note if a player has a coach who does not hold a WPBSA License they are welcome to attend but will not be allowed to coach their player in the venue.
Failure to pay the balance on June 1 may see you excluded from the event and your place allocated to another player.
Entries cannot be transferred to another player or another event. Late entries may be accepted after the closing date subject to the absolute discretion of the SNOOKER LEGENDS. A Top up system may be used with SNOOKER LEGENDS discretion. SNOOKER LEGENDS may extend or close entry dates without notice, and at its discretion based on current entries at any time.
Sanctions and penalties may be put in place for players who enter but then do not show up for their event but only after close monitoring and a review of player circumstances for non-attendance.
Dress Code: Players will be required to a smart polo shirt with a collar, suit trousers and shoes. Should a player have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing this attire then a signed letter must be forwarded to this office in advance of your first days play from your doctor.
The decision of the Tournament Director will be final in respect of Non-adherence to the Dress Code. Noncompliance with the Dress Code will result in a breach of the terms and conditions of entry for this tournament. The sanction in this case to be at the discretion of the tournament director but MAY be withdrawal from the tournament without refund of entry fee. The Tournament Director also reserves the right to report a player to the SNOOKER LEGENDS for a breach of the dress code.
Mobile Phones/Electronic Communication Devices: Players are NOT permitted to use any mobile phones or other electronic communication devices during the course of a match. Any player seen in breach of this by any SNOOKER LEGENDS tournament official or referee will be reported to the Tournament Director and will be dealt with by the Tournament Director on conclusion of the match. The Tournament Director will then determine whether any sanction is required taking account of any mitigating circumstances. The only available sanction in this case to be at the discretion of the tournament director MAY be withdrawal from the tournament without refund of entry fee. The Tournament Directors decision will be final in respect of exceptional mitigating circumstances.
Smoking/E-cigarettes: Players are NOT permitted to smoke or use e-cigarettes during the course of a match. Any player seen in breach of this by any WSS tournament official or referee will be reported to the Tournament Director and will be dealt with by the Tournament Director on conclusion of the match. The Tournament Director will then determine whether any sanction is required taking account of any mitigating circumstances. The only available sanction in this case to be at the discretion of the tournament director MAY be withdrawal from the tournament without refund of entry fee. The Tournament Directors decision will be final in respect of exceptional mitigating circumstances.
Alcohol: Players are NOT permitted to drink alcohol during the course of a match. Any player seen in breach of this by any WSS tournament official or referee will be reported to the Tournament Director and will be dealt with by the Tournament Director on conclusion of the match. The Tournament Director will then determine whether any sanction is required taking account of any mitigating circumstances. The only available sanction in this case to be at the discretion of the tournament director MAY be withdrawal from the tournament without refund of entry fee. The Tournament Directors decision will be final in respect of exceptional mitigating circumstances. Coaching: Coaching is not permitted during play. For the avoidance of doubt this includes between frames or any mid-session intervals. Any player seen in breach of this by any WSS tournament official or referee will be reported to the Tournament Director and will be dealt with by the Tournament Director on conclusion of the match. The Tournament Director will then determine whether any sanction is required taking account of any mitigating circumstances. The only available sanction in this case to be at the discretion of the tournament director MAY be withdrawal from the tournament without refund of entry fee. The Tournament Directors decision will be final in respect of exceptional mitigating circumstances.
Grievances:
a. Should the Player wish to make any criticism or complaint or raise any grievance in respect of any matter relating to SNOOKER LEGENDS or its employees or directors, a Referee, Tournament, Director, Equipment, any of the Partners or any of the Venues at any time then the Player shall do so by:
i. Contacting the Tournament Director for those complaints arising during a SNOOKER LEGENDS Event.
ii. Contacting Jason Francis at jason@snookerlegends.co.uk
Any player found to have made public any grievance outside of the above options shall be reported to the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director will then determine whether any sanction is required taking account of any mitigating circumstances. At the discretion of the tournament director sanction MAY be withdrawal from the tournament without refund of entry fee and/or referral to Snooker Legends.
Visa and Travel
Players are responsible for their own visa requirements should the location of the event mean they require one. Players must understand they are not tourists they are amateur snooker players visiting a territory to compete in an event which carries prize money. Social media guidelines: Any unfair criticism of the event, opponent, referee or tournament director on social media will be reported to the Tournament Director and will be dealt with by the EVENT DIRECTOR at the conclusion of the event. We will then determine whether any sanction is required taking account of any mitigating circumstances. The only available sanction in this case to be at the discretion of the tournament director MAY be withdrawal from the Junior Series without refund of entry fees. The Event director’s decision will be final in respect of exceptional mitigating circumstances. Right to call a roaming referee: If a dispute arises in a match where there is no match referee, either player has the right to call upon a roaming referee. In the event of there not being a roaming referee either player has the right to call upon the senior referee. If neither available, either player may call the Tournament Director. Logos: Players are permitted to wear two of their own logos, to cover an area no greater than World Snooker Guidelines. SNOOKER LEGENDS reserves the right to apply brand exclusion on an event by event basis. Any exclusion and change to number of logos permitted will be specified clearly within the entry pack for each relevant tournament where applicable. SNOOKER LEGENDS reserves the right to hold two logo places back for event title sponsor and / or partner.
Accommodation: For all events each player is responsible for the payment of any hotel or expenses required to attend. Cancellation/Relocation/Postponement: If a tournament is cancelled, relocated or postponed, entry fees will be refunded if the player cannot attend the new date. We cannot be responsible for the travel you have booked and whether or not you have got free cancellation and or flexible flights. It is the players responsibility to get themselves to the event, if you cannot get there you forfeit your entry fee. Lateness: Where a player arrives late for their scheduled match time, a frame will be docked at the scheduled start time. A second frame will be docked fifteen minutes later and then after every fifteen minutes until the match is over. Regardless of the scheduled length of the match, once a player has been docked three frames the match is over. The match starting time is defined as the published time.
The final list of players who will compete on the World Snooker Tour during the 2021/22 season is now confirmed
Due to the non-staging of several international amateur competitions holding tour qualification status over the past 12 months, there will be 122 professional players on tour. Remaining places at events will be topped up via the Q School Order of Merit, or with local wild cards for certain events such as the Home Nations Series, as in previous years.
These amateur tournaments will be rescheduled over the coming months, with places available on the tour for the successful players in time for the 2022/23 season.
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: “It is unfortunate that we have not been able to stage major international amateur events such as the World Snooker Federation Open and Junior Open over the past year due to the global pandemic. In the past, these events have seen young players such as Iulian Boiko, Luo Honghao, Ashley Hugill, Jackson Page, Aaron Hill, Gao Yang and many others show their promise and earn places on the professional tour.
“We are fully committed to bringing these events back as soon as it is feasible, bringing talented young players from many countries around the globe together to compete, and giving them a gateway to professional status. Internationally, in a vast number of territories across the planet, our sport is in a strong position in terms of participation and emerging talent, despite the challenges we have faced.
“The World Snooker Tour now has 122 exceptional players with a standard we have never seen before. And the leading Q School players who did not earn a card fully deserve the opportunity to compete in ranking events to top up the draws.”
The Top 64 (64)
These players finished inside the top 64 of the official world ranking list at the end of last season and so will retain their places on the circuit, with a one-yearcard.
End of season rankings:
Judd Trump
Mark Selby
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Neil Robertson
Shaun Murphy
Kyren Wilson
John Higgins
Ding Junhui
Stephen Maguire
Yan Bingtao
Mark Williams
Mark Allen
Barry Hawkins
Jack Lisowski
Stuart Bingham
Anthony McGill
Zhou Yuelong
Graeme Dott
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Joe Perry
Kurt Maflin
Tom Ford
David Gilbert
Ali Carter
Martin Gould
Zhao Xintong
Liang Wenbo
Ryan Day
Xiao Guodong
Matt Selt
Michael Holt
Ricky Walden
Gary Wilson
Scott Donaldson
Lu Ning
Matthew Stevens
Robert Milkins
Li Hang
Luca Brecel
Jordan Brown
Hossein Vafaei
Mark Joyce
Liam Highfield
Noppon Saengkham
Alexander Ursenbacher
Ben Woollaston
Stuart Carrington
Martin O’Donnell
Mark Davis
Elliot Slessor
Sam Craigie
Mark King
Lyu Haotian
Anthony Hamilton
Jamie Jones
Andrew Higginson
Sunny Akani
Tian Pengfei
David Grace
Chris Wakelin
Dominic Dale
Joe O’Connor
Jimmy Robertson
Nigel Bond
The Two-Year Cards (27)
These players competed on the main tour in 2020/21 and will start the 2021/22 season on the second year of their two-year tour cards.
Jak Jones
Pang Junxu
Jamie Clarke
Robbie Williams
Steven Hallworth
Ashley Carty
Simon Lichtenberg
Oliver Lines
Zhao Jianbo
Ken Doherty
Gao Yang
Fergal O’Brien
Rory McLeod
Allan Taylor
Aaron Hill
Lukas Kleckers
Ashley Hugill
Peter Devlin
Jamie Wilson
Ben Hancorn
Lee Walker
Fan Zhengyi
Zak Surety
Stephen Hendry
Farakh Ajaib
Iulian Boiko
Sean Maddocks
The Top Eight (One-Year Ranking list) (8)
The top eight players on the 2020/21 one-year ranking list, not already inside of the top 64 of the two-year ranking list or on the first year of a two-year card. They receive a fresh two-year tour card, starting on zero ranking points.
Chang Bingyu
Igor Figueiredo
Xu Si
Louis Heathcote
Chen Zifan
Jamie O’Neill
Andy Hicks
Gerard Greene
Q School (14)
A further 14 will be promoted from the Q School and again they will receive atwo-year tour card.
Jackson Page (Q School Event One semi-finalist)
Yuan Sijun (Q School Event One semi-finalist)
Peter Lines (Q School Event One semi-finalist)
Fraser Patrick (Q School Event One semi-finalist)
Michael Judge (Q School Event Two semi-finalist)
Alfie Burden (Q School Event Two semi-finalist)
Barry Pinches (Q School Event Two semi-finalist)
Craig Steadman (Q School Event Two semi-finalist)
Duane Jones (Q School Event Three semi-finalist)
Dean Young (Q School Event Three semi-finalist)
Ian Burns (Q School Event Three semi-finalist)
Lei Peifan (Q School Event Three semi-finalist)
Hammad Miah (Q School OOM)
Mitchell Mann (Q School OOM)
China Tour Qualifiers (4)
Four players have qualified via the CBSA China Tour. They earn a fresh two-year tour cards.
Wu Yize
Zhang Jiankang
Cao Yupeng
Zhang Anda
World Women’s Snooker Tour (2)
The top two players from the World Women’s Snooker Tour rankings will be awarded a two-year card.
Reanne Evans (No.1 Ranked)
Ng On Yee (No.2 Ranked)
Deferred Tour Card (1)
Andrew Pagett was due to join the tour for the 2020/21 season but this was deferred on medical grounds. He will begin a two-year card.
Andrew Pagett
Invitational Tour Cards (2)
Two players have been awarded a new two-year Invitational Tour Card for the upcoming season.
The part I put in bold in bold in the above quotes means that Sanderson Lam, Michael Georgiou, Si Jiahui, Soheil Vahedi, Michael White and David Lilley will have the opportunity to play in most events, maybe even all of them. They are handed what is effectively the equivalent of a one year tour card, without the pressure to defend their ranking. For some of them – and I’m thinking Si Jiahui, Soheil Vahedi and Michael White – this might be even better than a return to full pro status. They will have opportunities to play, and earn, with less pressure and should come into the next Q-School with the best possible preparation. They may even not need the Q-School if they do really well during the season.
All interviews are interesting and well worth the read. Michael, Zhou, Zhao and Tian all speak about some of the additional problems and difficulties oversea’s players have to face. The UK centric structure of the snooker pro tour puts them at a diadvantage at the best of times; the covid-19 crisis, the lockdown and the travel restrictions have magnified the issues big time.
Cazoo, the UK’s leading online car retailer, which makes ordering a car as simple and seamless as buying any other product online today, announces that it has expanded its partnership with Matchroom to become the principal sponsor of snooker’s Masters, UK Championship and Champion of Champions.
Cazoo has extended its deal with the World Snooker Tour (WST) and added the Masters, the UK Championship and the Champion of Champions to its current portfolio of snooker properties where it is currently the main sponsor of the Players Championship, Tour Championship and World Grand Prix.
The Champion of Champions, promoted by Matchroom Multi Sport, brings together 16 tournament Champions from the past year. The UK Championship is snooker’s longest running ranking event other than the World Championship, and is part of the sport’s Triple Crown series, as is the Masters in London which boasts an elite field of the world’s top 16 players.
Each of these prestigious snooker tournaments, broadcast to a global television audience of up to 500 million fans, will see Cazoo branding on the main set, players’ waistcoats and interview and media conference backdrops.
Cazoo has also become the principal sponsor of the Grand Slam of Darts, World Cup of Darts and European Championship. Under a new multi-year deal with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), the trio of high-profile darts events will see prominent Cazoo branding on the stage, players’ shirts, in the playing arena and on interview backdrops with extensive live TV coverage through Sky Sports and global broadcasters.
The Cazoo World Cup of Darts will take place from September 9-12 in Jena, Germany, where 32 nations will compete in two-player teams. The Cazoo European Championship, live on ITV4, and Sky Sports-televised Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts will follow as two of the highlights of the Autumn’s darting calendar.
Cazoo will also become the headline sponsor at this year’s FishOMania event, to be staged on Saturday July 24.
These latest tournaments add to Cazoo’s growing portfolio of sports sponsorships which now includes football (Everton, Aston Villa & the EFL), cricket (The Hundred), rugby (Welsh Rugby Union & 2021 Rugby League World Cup), golf (European Tour) and horseracing (Epsom Derby & St Leger).
Cazoo is pioneering the shift to online car buying and, since launching in 2019, has sold over 25,000 cars to consumers across the UK who have embraced the selection, transparency and convenience of buying quality used cars entirely online. Cazoo is planning to launch in France & Germany by the end of 2021.
Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder & CEO of Cazoo said, “We are excited to be expanding our partnership with Matchroom to launch the Cazoo World Cup of Darts, Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts and Cazoo European Championship with the Professional Darts Corporation later this year and to be extending our deal with the World Snooker Tour to launch three additional Cazoo snooker tournaments. This wider partnership with Matchroom will help to further grow our audience as we build Cazoo into a household brand and continue to deliver the best car buying experience to darts and snooker fans across the UK and Europe.”
Barry Hearn OBE, President of Matchroom said: “It’s fantastic to have a brand like Cazoo involved with us in both snooker and darts and we have thoroughly enjoyed working with Alex and his team, who have proven to be creative and innovative partners. We are now partnering with Cazoo on nine of the most prestigious tournaments and eagerly-awaited events on the snooker and darts calendars as well as for FishOMania. We look forward to introducing the Cazoo brand to our loyal fanbase and to a long and productive relationship.”
I believe that this is a really important announcement. This is Matchroom clearly taking action to reduce its dependence on the gambling and gaming industry for their events’ sponsoring. I have been saying it for a long time: relying on just one particular type of sponsors is never healthy, no matter how much they are ready to pay. The “tobacco ban” hit snooker very hard because the gouverning did nothing to find alternatives despite knowing that it was coming. A “gambling ban” is coming too, even if many don’t want to believe it the signs are there, and Matchroom is being proactive.
Yesterday six players got a professional tour card for 2021/22/23: Duane Jones, Lei Peifan, Dean Young and Ian Burns were Q-School Event 3 laureates, whilst Hammad Miah and Mitchell Mabb topped the order of merit.
Jones, Dean Young, Lei Peifan and Ian Burns all secured tour cards for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. While Hammad Miah and Mitchell Mann earned spots by virtue of finishing third and fifth respectively in the Order of Merit, which was taken from all three Q School events.
Welshman Jones came into the concluding round assured of an immediate return to the World Snooker Tour, after sealing a place in the top two on the Order of Merit. However, he capped off qualification in style with an good win over talented 18-year-old Si. Jones led 3-2 before being pegged back to a decider, where he got himself over the line.
Jones suffered relegation from the circuit at the end of last season, after recording just nine match wins throughout the campaign. However, the 28-year-old did showcase his ability in 2019, when he went on a run to the semi-finals of the German Masters in Berlin.
Jones said: “It’s been a tough six weeks to be honest with you. Losing my place on the tour, I only fell off by one position in the one-year list. To come back and get straight through doesn’t get any better, I’m over the moon with it.
“I think on paper this is the toughest Q School I’ve ever played in. The draw was just a minefield. With it being seeded the way it has, people said it would be easier but it isn’t. There are seeds all over the draw and before you could be in a little spot without them.
“I’m just going to try and keep going and practising, rather than take a break and start again. The iron is hot now so I’ll keep the ball rolling for as long as I can.
“In round three I went for a bit of breakfast before the match and I couldn’t get into my hotel room. The card wouldn’t work. We tried for an hour and a half and I thought I wouldn’t make it. I came over to tell the tournament director I might not make it. Eventually we managed to bust the door open with spanners, crowbars and tools, it was all coming out. The hotel allowed me to do it to make my match. I am very lucky to even be here!”
Scotland’s 19-year-old Young became the only player of this year’s Q School to secure a debut berth on the World Snooker Tour, beating Haydon Pinhey 4-1 in the final round.
The 2018 Scottish Under-21 champion impressed on his televised debut at the 2020 Shoot Out, where he scored wins over David Grace and Liam Highfield, before bowing out at the hands of current Masters champion Yan Bingtao in the last 32.
Young came through a tricky section of the draw to seal his professional status for the first time. He defeated Matthew Roberts, Florian Nuessle, Dylan Emery and Mitchell Mann on his way to the final round. Young top scored with a break of 91 in his defeat of England’s Pinhey.
“I’m speechless at the moment, but it was an unbelievable feeling at the end,” said the Edinburgh cueman. “Practising with Scott Donaldson has brought my game on a lot. He plays at the same club as me so we’ve been practising with each other day in and day out.”
Former Welsh Open quarter-finalist Burns regained his professional status with a 4-1 win over Mark Lloyd.
Despite being highly placed in the order of merit, Burns had to win to have any chance of returning to the circuit he was relegated from earlier this year.
Burns defeated Liam Davies, Yu Kiu Chang, Soheil Vahedi, Simon Blackwell and Lloyd on his way to successfully negotiating event three.
Burns said: “I’m relieved more than anything. After coming so close in the first event, losing out to Peter Lines in the final round. I’m over the moon to get through.
“That last match is horrible. I never expected to get through easily. It is just a case of getting over the line. Duane Jones and Lei Peifan were playing with no pressure, but I am just so relieved to get through.
“My little boy was born back in January, so there is that going on in life as well. I think it spurs you on a little bit to not do it for myself but do it for the family as well. It has been tough coming back and a long three weeks in Sheffield. Especially in your hotel room trying to kill time. You just have to fill your time as best you can and keep yourself focussed.”
Chinese 18-year-old Lei topped the order of merit and was already guaranteed a tour place coming into the final round and ended an impressive three weeks by beating Billy Castle 4-2.
Lei came through Q School at the age of just 15 in 2019, to earn a maiden spell on the tour. However, he lost his professional status at the end of last season. Wins over Jed Mann, Patrick Wallace, Ben Mertens, Sanderson Lam and Castle in event three ensured his immediate return.
Dean Young is the only new player amongst the 14 who came through the 2021 Q-School, the only one who has never been a professional before.
The final “set” of laureates is a reasonable one: Lei Peifan, Yuan Sijun, Dean Young, Jackson Page, Duane Jones, Hammad Miah and Mitchell Mann are all under-30, with Lei, Yuan, Dean and Jackson aged between 18 and 21. I’m glad that there are no under-18 kids graduating this time: most of them are lambs for the slaughter and the long terms effects of a disastrous first two years on tour can be very damaging.
The other seven – Peter Lines, Fraser Patrick, Craig Steadman, Barry Pinches, Mick Judge, Alfie Burden and Ian Burns – are all over 35. Experience matters and, of course, several of them had the opportunity to play in WSS events and stressed how important the Seniors Tour had been for them this season.
The above results triggered a number of rather negative discussions on social media yesterday, ranging from the “death” of the amateur game to calls to exclude older players from Q-School or to exclude older professionals from WSS competitions, as well as the adequacy of the Q-School system itself.
There is no doubt that the amateur game isn’t in the best of shapes and I have already shared my thoughts about the reasons why young players struggle to get and stay on the tour, but this season there is the additional “corona virus” factor. Whilst the pro tour essentially went on as normal behind closed doors, the amateur game came to a complete halt and amateurs had very little opportunities to play competitively, practice and prepare. It was even worse for the overseae’s players who had to face additional hurdles related to travel restrictions, tests, administrative paper work and quarantine. It’s a shame but no surprise under those circumstances that none of them managed to get through this year.
Anyway … Well done and good luck to all of this year’s laureates!
Norwich potter Pinches, age 19, is through to the last 16 of Q School for the first time and will face Mark Lloyd next. The four quarter-final winners on Sunday in Sheffield earn a two-year tour card, as do the next two highest players on the Order of Merit.
Luke’s father Barry, age 50, came through event two earlier this week. If Luke successfully follows him, they will join Peter and Oliver Lines as father-and-son duos on the pro circuit. In the last 32, Pinches beat Callum Beresford 4-1.
Lloyd ended the hopes of Tony Knowles with a 4-2 success. From 2-0 down, Lloyd took four in a row with a top run of 56.
Ian Burns came from 3-1 down to beat Soheil Vahedi 4-3, taking the last three frames with breaks of 56, 63 and 106.
Veteran David Finbow, who reached number 28 in the world during his 1990s peak, could return to the tour for the first time since 2004. The 53-year-old came from 3-1 down to beat Dylan Mitchell 4-3.
Joshua Cooper – nephew of Shaun Murphy – beat Robbie McGuigan 4-1, setting up a match with China’s Si Jiahui. Duane Jones saw off Michael Georgiou 4-1 and will now face a Welsh derby against Michael White. Two-time ranking event winner White let slip a 3-0 lead against Hammad Miah 4-3, but made a 74 in the decider to win 4-3.
Also through to the last 16 are Simon Blackwell, Lei Peifan, Sanderson Lam, Billy Castle, Ross Bulman, Haydon Pinhey, Mitchel Mann and Dean Young.
There are only two non British/Irish players amongst the remaining 16, two young Chinese, both relegated pros, Lei Peifan and Si Jiahui. Other than those two, we a have some young talents still in this draw: Mark Loyd, Luke Pinches, Haydon Pinhey, Dean Young, Ross Bulman and Josuah Cooper are all under-25. The way the draw pans out at least three of them will be in the quarter-finals.
Hammad Miah is currently on top of the order of merit. He’s not mathematically “safe” but would need a lot of results to go against him today to miss out on a fresh two years tour card. Lei Peifan, who is still in the tournament, is second and the same is true for him should he lose to day.
Michael White is still in the draw and I hope that he makes it through because his chances to get a fresh tour card via the order of merit are extremely thin: he would need Sanderson Lam to lose by 4-0 in the last 16, Ian Burns to lose in the last 16, and Lei Peifan, Duane Jones and Mitchell Mann to be amongst today’s laureates.
Amongst those who bowed out yesterday are Michael Giorgiou, Soheil Vahedi, Ross Muir, Bai Langning and Luo Honghao.
Michael, Ross, Bai and Soheil are high in the order of merit and will probably get opportunities to play via the top-up system if they so wish and if it’s actually possible.
Of course, for Soheil who is Iranian, there are additional questions about his status in the UK and how he can support himself and his family. He must be able to stay and work in the country for this to be a realistic option. I hope that it will possible if that’s what he wants.
As for Michael Giorgiou, if his FB page is anything yo go by, he hates the game … for now at least.
For Luo, who is only 21, was rookie of the year in 2018, qualified fot the Crucible on his maiden season, I fear that this could be the end of the road and it’s a real shame. Lewis and myself were there, at the EIS, when Luo qualified for the Crucible. He had so much battling spirit and passion in him back then. What happened that turned him into the anxious bag of nerves we have seen over the last couple of years? It’s very sad.
This was shared by James and relayed by Michael Day on twitter (*):
It’s an order of merit of the English juniors in 2009/10. Mot many have made it and been able to stay on the main tour. Only two have been really succesful: Jack Lisowski and Kyren Wilson: they were both 18 years old at the time, and both turned professional in 2010. Stephen Craigie, who topped that list by some distance, completely disappeared from the snooker map.
(*) Michael observed that “the rivalry between Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson going back to their juniors days” is not credible, unless by “juniors” people mean “children”. Judd, who is nearly two and a half years older than Kyren, turned pro in 2005. Kyren was only 13 at the time and never competed against Judd on the amateur circuit after that.
Duane Jones booked an immediate return to the World Snooker Tour after defeating China’s Si Jiahui 4-3 in the final round of Q School event three.
Former Welsh Open quarter-finalist Burns regained his professional status with a 4-1 win over Mark Lloyd.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 