Happy anniversary Jason Ferguson !

May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 Monique Snooker

Quite incredibly, it’s been 10 years since Jason Ferguson came at the helm of WPBSA.

Today, they published this interview, which in fact is the first “post” in Jason’s new blog. Here Jason shares his passion, his vision and his dreams for the sport he loves. Jason is former player. He knows what it takes, and understands the players needs as well as the challenges they face.

Ferguson’s Blog – 10 Years at the Helm

18th May 2020

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the election of Jason Ferguson as Chairman of the WPBSA, a position that he has held ever since.

In the first edition of our new periodic feature ‘The Chairman’s Blog’ Jason reflects upon some of the changes snooker has witnessed over the past decade, the growth of the sport and why despite the current global situation this is only the beginning of our journey…

To be asked to come back and steer the WPBSA again was a great honour for me. Despite being completely away from snooker for a few years, my love for this sport has never faltered.

I remember fondly the first time my father took me into a billiard hall at a Butlin’s holiday camp in Wales, I was just mesmerised by the game being played, a feeling that remains with me to this day when I walk into our venues. From desperately trying and pot that very first ball, playing in leagues and amateur events over the years, to competing on the professional tour, I cannot recall a day where I did not want to be around this sport. Working in its administration is equally as interesting and challenging. There is so much to do, we must work hard, prepare properly, be focused and very disciplined. In fact, my days now are not too dissimilar to those when I was player, the hours are just longer.

Despite our current challenges, I am extremely proud of where our sport is today, however I still believe we are a long way from what can be achieved, so we must keep the focus, keep planning and keep going forward.

Even during this current health pandemic, it is easy to see on the world’s social media platforms just how big our snooker community has become. Personally, I have seen many old photos for the first time, connected with many friends old and new, heard snooker players singing for charity, witnessed players competing online from their own homes and seen more community spirit thoughts, strangers sharing thoughts and new ideas, all from far corners of the world. All with one global family connection ‘Snooker and Billiards’. It does make you feel very humble and proud to be part of it.

Ten years ago, we entered our new commercial arrangements with Matchroom Sport, undoubtedly the largest fundamental change the WPBSA had seen. This type of commercial structure for snooker had been considered at various crossroads over the years, but at times it had proved to be too big a step to take without the guarantee of success. However, with Barry Hearn and his team’s passion for promoting events, Matchroom’s history in snooker, coupled with the will of the WPBSA playing membership, the timing was right.

Snooker is a very British export, it required further globalisation, something I was and remain very passionate about. I had worked in Asia before with snooker and I knew further growth could be achieved there. We have certainly covered a few miles in the last ten years, we travel like crazy, sleep on trains, aeroplanes and even in cars at times going between cities in order to make the next meeting or press conference. It’s not for everyone, but we must push the boundaries, find new places, new markets and new opportunities.

In ten years, our commercial operations now known as the World Snooker Tour (WST) have grown year on year, we have more events that ever before, more prize money on offer and more TV airtime than ever before. This is testament to the great teams we have at the WPBSA and WST, but I must say a huge thanks and point out the great respect I have for our players who have not faltered in their dedication and provide astonishing live drama week in week out.

Despite all this growth, we still love tradition and heritage, something I am keen to preserve in the WPBSA.

I am pleased the World Championship has continued to grow remaining in Sheffield. That is the crown jewel of the tour and it is fantastic to see the winner now receiving a top prize of £500,000, a total that has doubled over the past decade as prize money continues to grow. The Crucible in Sheffield has become the spiritual home of snooker, it is the dream of every young aspiring player to appear there and we should not take that dream away. This year may appear very different with uncertainty of crowds etc – but ask any ambitious player with dreams and they would want to play there.

“Infrastructure that can underpin the future of the sport”

As WST has delivered unprecedented growth in the sport, the responsibility on the WPBSA has grown enormously. All sports today are under so much scrutiny, they are live and newsworthy, so to command the respect as a major global sport, the WPBSA has had to grow significantly.

Over the past 10 years is that we have been able to build an infrastructure within the WPBSA that can deliver referee training, coach training, academy development and global amateur and junior events. It is an infrastructure that can underpin the future growth of the sport. We have been prudent in our management building resources, something which will carry us safely through these choppy waters right now.

One such positive change has been the formation of the World Snooker Federation (WSF) and the staging of tournaments such as the WSF Open and WSF Junior Open which took place early this year in Malta.

Our vision is to not only continue to expand our sport into new territories and to new markets, but to create sustainable growth. To do that we need solid governance, the right people in the right place and we need to form partnerships around the world. The WSF has been established to align the interests of amateur snooker, grassroots development and the professional tour because players don’t just arrive there, there must be an accessible development path for elite performers, also a way of preparing the best for life on the WST.

At the height of the UK snooker ‘boom’ in the 1980s, the amateur game was incredibly strong with hundreds of players competing in many events. Many players broke through in the early 1990s like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins and more, but amateur infrastructure contracted badly and as such, we have seen the average age of a top player remain high on the WST.

Future talent

10 years on, there is an abundance of future talent coming through from all over the world. Europe is becoming particularly strong through the work of our partners the European Billiards & Snooker Association which is now finding activity in well over 50 countries. China, Thailand we know are producing great player. I hear many people assuming Chinese players will take over the tour.

It is true there are many talented young players, but there are interesting twists coming in our future story with amazing juniors like Iulian Boiko from Ukraine, new talent in Ireland like Aaron Hill, Liverpool’s Sean Maddocks and a great Austrian Florian Nuessle and many more. We will take a look at this junior talent on our media feeds this week, but I can assure you that there are many new and exciting players out there ready to bring new drama to our screens.

It is crucial that we are able to get the balance right from elitism at the top of the sport, to having a system which can capture that person who first walks in a snooker club for the first time where we provide that person an equal opportunity, wherever they are from, to become into a star of the future.

We have continuing to go out into new territories such as Africa more recently. Snooker’s inclusion in the African Games by the African Billiards and Snooker Confederation last August was a major step in the right direction. It is a new area where snooker is growing, particularly Morocco where many new clubs have opened. By working through an official African sports authority, we can work and plan for the future, in a region where there are over 50 countries.

A Sport for All

There is a lot more to the WPBSA that meets the eye, as a world governing body, governance of the sport goes without saying, but underneath this players body is a group organisation demonstrating just how diverse snooker and billiards are.

The World Women’s Snooker Tour (WWS) runs a calendar designed to bring more women into the mainstream professional sport. It is a matter of time with women playing numbers up that we will see talent breaking through to the WST.

World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) is delivering great results, a carefully constructed tour in many categories has seen amazing talents appear. So much so that WDBS players appeared at the Crucible Theatre last August, earning their rightful moment at the pinnacle of our sport.

We preserve our history and heritage with our founder sport ‘English Billiards’ through our group organisation World Billiards (WBL). Incredibly, Billiards has delivered growth, with the 2019 World Billiards Championship being played at the prestigious RAVC in Melbourne, Australia.

The outlook for international travel appears uncertain for the short term and major events may look a little different for a while, but there is no intention to rest. Behind the scenes, we are all working hard, the WPBSA has good management and staff. I am excited about getting back out on the road at the appropriate time.

During the past 10 years, there have been some great moments. From seeing players win that first world title like Stuart Bingham, the emergence of the incredible Judd Trump, the achievements of Ronnie O’Sullivan, the gradual return to top form of Mark Williams was nothing short of emotional, and seeing an old practice partner, Anthony Hamilton, who always gave 100% win the German Masters.

Snooker to me is magical, from the highs and lows our players go through, to the arriving in a new place with nothing but a clean sheet of paper to get started. I remain as excited as ever to get on with the job in hand and I hope to serve the WPBSA for many more years to come.

Jason Ferguson is someone who, in my own experience, is always open and there for the players when things get difficult. He doesn’t look at the players solely as exponents of their sport, he looks at them, first and foremost, as human beings, going through highs and lows, joy and pain, as life and sport unfold. He’s also an incredibly hard worker and someone who will always try to be fair. If a player is out of order, of course, it’s his job to tackle the situation, but I know, because I’ve seen him at work, and talked to him countless time, that Jason will always listen, show understanding and try to find solutions that last rather than just punish.

Thank you, Jason!

Thai heroes …

May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 Monique Snooker

This was published by WST today:

Monday 18 May 2020 08:38AM

Former world number three James Wattana has spent the past few weeks in Bangkok helping the poor and homeless affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Wattana hasn’t seen his own wife and son for three months as he is following advice not to travel to his home outside the Thai capital. Instead, the three-time ranking event winner, a national hero in Thailand, has been devoting his energy towards helping those in need.

Alongside volunteers including fellow snooker player Dechawat Poomjaeng, he fronts regular donation events where they hand out bags of supplies.

“There are eight million people in Bangkok and many of them are now homeless with no work and no food,” said 50-year-old Wattana. “I am trying to do something. We give out bags of rice, eggs, cooking oil, washing powder – whatever we have to keep people happy.

“We have already helped more than 10,000 people and we have another event this week where we will hand supplies to another 3,000. The donation events have to be carefully organised with the government’s help because we need to follow the social distancing rules.

“It makes me feel good to do something for the Thai people. Perhaps snooker has not done enough for them in the past. This is the time to help. It’s much better than being at home and doing nothing.

“I would like to start my own foundation where I can be a guide to helping people and providing money, food and drink. I am going to auction my cue to raise money. This is like a new job for me.

“It’s hard not to see my family – my ten-year-old son doesn’t understand why I can’t come home. But I have to follow the rules.”

Wattana became Asia’s most successful player in the 1990s when he won a string of tournaments, climbed into the world’s top four and twice reached the semi-finals of the World Championship. He was made a Commander Third Class of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, a rare honour for a sportsman.

He is still on the pro circuit thanks to an invitational tour card and is currently ranked 89th. “I still love the game and the challenge,” he added. “I would love to play in the World Championship qualifiers. But I don’t know what the future holds, whether I will be able to travel to the UK. The clubs in Thailand are closed so there is no practice. For now I am doing something more important.”

James Wattana is a hero in his country, and he is living up to his status. He is a hero of a human being, quite simply. The less known Dechawat Poomjaeng may be an “original” and someone whose antics have baffled and amused, but he’s a great person and that’s what really matters when it really matters. Thank you, James, and thank you “Poomy”!

A good article about referee Terry Camilleri

May 17, 2020 Monique Interview, Snooker Interview, Snooker

This was published yesterday by the “Independent of Malta” and it’s good to read.

50 Shades of Greats: Snooker referee Terry Camilleri

Simon Farrugia Sunday, 17 May 2020

Terry Camilleri was born on 19 January 1974. He hails from and lives in the small village of Kalkara. He is married to Elaine and has two children, Thomas and Emma. He made a name for himself and for our country through the game of snooker and today he is considered as one of the world’s best referees.

Contrary to nowadays childhood in the 80s was much different. Recalling his early days Terry, the sixth personality to be interviewed for this column, had this to say: “My childhood was very basic and normal at my time. I come from a family of three brothers of which I am the eldest. I grew up in the period when life was much easy and when we used to go outside to play with other friends for most of the time. It was when socialising was as it should be, playing physically with friends and meeting new friends and speaking to friends face to face. Unfortunately this is very different than the online world we are living in today, especially as children.”

Looking back at his school days, as was the normal practice, Terry attended primary school at his hometown in Kalkara. “The school was just round the corner from our house but then I moved to De La Salle College for my secondary school. I then continued my studies in finance which it is where I ended up working with a private company.”

But how did it all start? From where did this interest in the game of snooker begin? Camilleri gave us an insight of his love to this sport. “My interest in snooker started when my father, as a carpenter, made us a snooker table at home. I fell immediately in love with the sport, but never imagined myself reaching the position I have today! I also remember watching Pot Black, a UK production, broadcast on our local channel. We used to struggle a bit because at that time TV was black and white, until I remember my grandmother getting a coloured one and we used to gather to watch it on colour TV!

Apart from snooker, Terry also had a passion for other sports. “I was always a sport lover in general. I am a football fan and used to love playing as well, with village friends and at school. I am also fond of the national Regatta and also managed to take part in it, where I achieved a second and a third place in two races. Furthermore, I am also a motorsport enthusiast.”

Though playing the game of snooker was his passion Camilleri had an orientation to start officiating games. He recounts how all this happened. “My career started when as a youth, I used to play snooker at our local youth centre. Then in 1990, I heard that a tournament was going to be organised in Malta, which was the first ever Pro-Am Tournament, which had local players and Tony Drago as a professional player. For this tournament the Malta Billiards and Snooker Association was organising a rules’ refresher course to all snooker players by a senior referee from the UK. I decided to apply to get to know the rules better and at the end of the course there was an option to take a referee exam. I sat for the exam and qualified as a Class 3 snooker referee.”

The association wanted qualified referees to take charge of some matches in this tournament. “I accepted and this was the first step I took in my career. This tournament started being organised every year and I ended up being part of the referees’ pool. Year after year snooker in Malta was becoming increasingly successful, thanks to the Association and snooker promotions and the fact that more top UK players were coming over to participate in these tournaments.”

“Moreover, more UK referees were coming to Malta for their refresher courses. After being assessed by senior UK referees, I was asked to go to the UK to referee some matches at qualifying stages. And after a couple of years I was asked to be part of a team of professional referees and referee tournaments at the top level. After consultation with my wife and family, I decided to go ahead. It was not an easy decision as I had to spend a lot of time abroad without my family. My career continued to grow over the years and eventually developed me in one of the top referees in the world of snooker.”

In fact his experiences took him to the pinnacle of this sport. “I had a lot of experiences in my career which most of them are on the positive side. Some of them are obviously refereeing various prestigious finals of big tournaments, not just in the UK but all over the world. Obviously among various finals, some stand out in particular – the Triple Crown tournaments, the UK Championship and the Masters, which I fondly cherish.

Camilleri kept on going down memory lane. “I also have great experiences by being in charge of four maximum breaks, the famous 147. I was also lucky to referee the 100 centuries in one season of Neil Robertson and the 1,000 carrier centuries of Ronnie O’Sullivan, which are both unique in the history books until today. Obviously one also has some bad days. Although there are only a few of them I still consider them part of my learning curve.”

You made it to the top in the international field. How did you succeed in doing it? “I made it to the top with a lot of learning through the years. I have learnt a lot from my assessors. It was not an easy ride as I had to spend a lot of time abroad without my family. Sometimes you start missing them and your home country but you have to keep strong and show your determination. I have taken my success and opportunities gradually.”

Camilleri is very grateful to all those who helped him during his career as a referee which successfully grew every year and which developed him in one of the top referees in the world of snooker. This was achieved by sheer determination, professionalism, dedication, commitment and a lot of sacrifices.

Terry explains what it means for a referee from a small country like Malta being on the tour with the best professional snooker players. “As a Maltese to be in this position gives me unexplainable pride. I feel very proud and satisfied when I tell people on our circuit and all snooker fans from all over the world that I am from Malta. I feel that from a small island to be included in the top list of referees in the world is something special. A proud moment is when you are introduced as a Maltese referee in front of all the spectators in the arena and to millions of television viewers. Also a great feeling is when meeting people in the street which recognise me and tell me, we watch snooker because you are a Maltese like us, and we ended up enjoying snooker.”

But how is your relationship with the players and fellow referees? “Relationship with players and fellow referees is very good; we are very sociable between us off the table. For me it is my second family. We travel together and we are very close and ready to help one another.”

Snooker, like all other sports, was hardly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, among others the World Championships played at the famous Crucible in Sheffield.

How is the snooker world coping with the situation? “Yes at the moment, like all other sport, snooker is suspended. I think it was the best decision for everyone in the current situation. Obviously many tournaments were cancelled, among them, the World Championship, which hopefully some arrangements are being done to play the tournament in the coming summer, if things obviously get better.

Is the future of snooker, both in Malta and abroad, being hard hit by today’s technological life? “I think snooker at the moment is at its peak. We have a lot of tournaments being organised all over the world and also broadcasting snooker on TV has increased the followers drastically. In Malta, snooker is getting back to its glory days as we have passed a period where it was going downhill. Since the opening of the Snooker Academy here in Malta, thanks to a lot of people working for this with the help of Sports Malta, snooker is being developed in the correct way again and hopefully in the future we will have some players who will make it to the top professional circuit.”

Behind a successful man there is always a woman. That’s how the saying goes. But for Terry it’s not just a saying. “Family is my precious jewel. I really owe a lot to my wife who is very supportive and also with regards to me being abroad a lot of the time; she had a big responsibility in bringing up and caring for our children.”

Taking a more personal side I asked Terry what is his favourite food. “I like every type of food but I certainly would choose Mediterranean. With my condition as a celiac I cannot eat everything so I have to be very careful especially when we are travelling with regards to food.”

Snooker took him to different parts of the globe but which country does he consider as his favourite destination? “I consider the UK as my second home country now, but I like travelling to all other destinations. Every country has its own beauty and characteristics.”

Though Camilleri has a very hectic life, does he have time for hobbies? “I enjoy watching football and especially go to watch Manchester United playing when I can. Also I like to go and watch the Malta National Team matches. Having said this I enjoy watching any sport on TV. I consider myself a sports maniac!”

And when Terry has some free time on his hands, away from the world of sport what does he like doing? “I enjoy doing maintenance work at home which makes me relax a lot. Also going for a walk with my family around my home town Kalkara, which is part of the beautiful Grand Harbour, is also a must. I am also a member of a Scout Group. I enjoy doing voluntary work with our group which is one of the biggest on the island at the moment. I am a member of the committee, which takes care and helps out in organising fund-raising events, camps and other functions. Although it is not an easy job to do, it is very relaxing for me as I meet up with some true friends and also gives me an unexplainable feeling in doing voluntary work.”

One final word to the young generation. “My advice is to be dedicated and enjoy doing their favourite sport, in our case snooker. You have to work hard to achieve. Nothing comes easy and success has to be gained by your abilities, dedication and professionalism. Humility should be a priority in life and always to remain humble, then recognition and success will come your way.”

Enjoy!

Professional snooker could return next month… well done Barry Hearn.

May 16, 2020 Monique Professional snooker tournament Professional snooker

This has been reported by Hector Nunns in the press today

Barry Hearn outlines plans for snooker return with players virus tested

Snooker could be one of the first major sports to resume following the coronavirus lockdown, with a Championship League tournament for 64 players set to go ahead in Leicester next month

Professional snooker will restart in two weeks’ time – under a strict new set of health and safety measures.

A Championship League tournament for 64 players with a first prize of £20,000 is to take place at the Morningside Arena in Leicester from June 1st-11th.

This will see the game become one of the first major sports to resume following lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

The rescheduled Betfred World Championship is due to begin on July 31st and next month’s events will get players back to work and offer a chance to road-test a new safety code.

Barry Hearn is going strong despite recent scares (Picture: Getty Images )

The announcement comes after talks between WST and the DCMS and minister for sport, with input from snooker’s all-party group of MPs.

The likes of world No1 and reigning world champion Judd Trump would all have to be throat swab tested for Covid-19 prior to being accepted into the draw.

They would have to show negative, and that would apply to all entering the venue. A hugely trimmed operation would see player guests barred.

Masks would have to be worn by players at all times in the building except during the match and practice.

All those entering the venue would have to complete a full health check, and during the day no one could leave without permission of World Snooker Tour.

The venue would be fully sanitised in advance, players would be forced to wash their hands before playing, and would have personal hand sanitisers by their chair.

They must remain at least 2m apart from their opponent and the referee, and use their own set of playing accessories like rests and spiders.

In a letter sent to all professional players, WST chairman Barry Hearn said: “Health concerns, border closures and the very real possibility of playing events ‘behind closed doors’ may well be problems that exist for some time.

“In anything we do the health and safety of our players, employees and contractors is our primary objective.

“I remain, however, positive about the future of the sport and our ability to rise to the challenges presented.

“I shall next week write to you on my plans for recovery, a blueprint for activity, but bearing in mind in these uncertain times that they will be conditional on the virus situation around the world and various government guidelines.

“I appreciate that travel restrictions may mean that some of you are out of the country, however in order to stay ahead in a highly competitive sports industry, I must start the process by introducing phase 1 of the blueprint for activity as soon as possible.

“Phase 1 of these plans will see Championship League Snooker played ‘behind closed doors’ Live on ITV at the Morningside Arena, Leicester from Monday 1 – Thursday 11 June.

“One small step at a time is the order of the day, so I need to know if you wish to play in this event and I need to know quickly!

“All players, staff and contractors will be virus tested prior to accessing the venue.

“Please appreciate we are doing everything in our power to create a safe environment for your return to professional snooker.

“I would like to believe the whole Tour is behind this initiative, but it remains each players choice as to whether he or she plays in this event.

“For those players overseas who cannot return to the UK to compete, other playing opportunities are being investigated for you.”

This is great news. As you can read, organising and running that tournament under the current circumstances is a challenge and it will be difficult, and rather alien for everyone. This time there is a clear plan regarding how to protect the health of everyone involved. It will also be the opportunity to test the feasibility of running more important tournaments and evaluate how players, referees, officials, media crew and staff venue cope with the situation.

I hope that the players will give it a good go and support the initiative. Surely there will be things that may prove impractical or need improvement but the best way to find a safe working solution will be to give WPBSA and WST feedback and to collaborate with the authorities so that those issues can be resolved.

I’m also glad to read that opportunities are to be created for those who can’t return to the UK. The obvious one would probably be a similar tournament in China.

Ken Doherty, Fergal O’Brien and Alan McManus about the challenges ahead …

May 15, 2020May 15, 2020 Monique Snooker

WST has today published this article about Ken Doherty and Fergal O’Brien having to cope with the uncertainties about the World Championship:

Friday 15 May 2020 02:12PM

By Michael McMullan

While sportspeople around the world find competitive action put on hold by the Covid-19 crisis for the time being, two of snooker’s longest-standing professionals remain in an enhanced state of limbo, as they wait to play in a tournament which could be crucial to their careers.

When the circuit was effectively suspended almost two months ago, Dubliners Ken Doherty and Fergal O’Brien both knew they would need to win at least one match in Betfred World Championship qualifying to finish the season in the top 64.

Discussions between WST and WPBSA in terms of how the revised tournament schedule will affect tour promotion and relegation are ongoing, but retaining a top 64 spot would ensure another season for the two popular Dubliners.

Both grew up in an era when the game’s explosion just across the water in Britain was being mirrored in their home city. It was a time when there were around half a dozen high quality places to play within a few minutes’ walk of O’Connell Street in the city centre, and the suburbs were typified by one corner of south west Dublin boasting two snooker clubs within a mile of each other which had more than 100 tables between them.

With so many people playing the game, it was no surprise that Ireland enjoyed an exceptionally strong tournament scene at the time. Doherty and O’Brien became by far its two most successful products, and all these years later they are the only Republic of Ireland players currently on the professional circuit.

From the hundreds of players who entered the professional game when it was thrown open in 1991, O’Brien is one of the very few still around. A ranking tournament winner at the 1999 British Open, he came within five balls of winning The Masters two years later, and in between there was a Crucible quarter-final which took him into the world’s top ten.

“You’ve got to try not to think about something you don’t want to happen,” he says of his ranking predicament.

“For me the issue is more about whether the World Championship isn’t played, and how it will all work if it is. Will the hotels be open, will there be somewhere to get something to eat, will there be taxis and transport to get around?”

The suspension came at a particularly unfortunate time for O’Brien as he had just produced some of his best form in years to reach the last 16 of the Gibraltar Open, where he was edged out 4-3 by Kyren Wilson before being confined to barracks on his return.

“I flew through Spain on the way back, spending about five or six hours in Malaga airport, so I had to quarantine by staying in the house for two weeks. I’ve not played for seven weeks since Gibraltar.”

With Ireland now in the early stages of its gradual exit from lockdown, O’Brien intends to be back on the table in the coming days, but as a precaution will put his regular sessions with players like Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen on hold and get down to work on his own.

“If I’m playing with Shaun and he pots a ball which I then take out of the pocket, that isn’t illegal but it is a risk. I have the keys to the club so it’ll just be me there. I’ll even bring my lunch with me so I won’t have to leave all day.”

With his wife Jean working in the ambulance service and their 19-year-old daughter Isabelle keeping up with college work, O’Brien has had plenty of time on his own recently, but has made the best of it and established a routine of sorts.

“I’m up early to go for a jog. I recorded the Crucible Classics series on the BBC so I’m watching all of those. There have been plenty of times when I’ve not touched a cue for weeks but in those times I’ve been playing golf and seeing friends, so this has been very different.”

In the race for tour survival, Doherty has been down this road before, having dropped out of the top 64 in 2017. His standing in the game saw him given a two-year invitational card to continue on the circuit, a reprieve he used to great advantage by climbing back up to 56th and earning another season by right.

His last match was on 13th March when Luca Brecel made a century in the deciding frame to knock him out of the Gibraltar Open in the first round, and that remains the last time he picked up a cue.

“I came back on the Sunday and Spain’s lockdown had started the day before, so I was just happy to get home,” he explains. “My practice base is at the Radisson Hotel in Stillorgan and that’s closed at the moment. I’m looking forward to getting back hitting some balls and into some sort of routine because it’s been such a strange time, so difficult for everyone.”

As a long-established member of the BBC team, Doherty would have been involved right through the World Championship had it gone ahead as planned, whether he had qualified or not.

“I miss Sheffield so much, the excitement, the matches, all the BBC lads. There’s just so much atmosphere; it’s a festival of snooker.”

Like everyone else in the game, the 1997 champion still hopes the showpiece event can happen on its new dates later in the summer, but in the meantime he has had plenty to keep him occupied during the unexpected break.

“I’ve been doing a press-up challenge online, starting with ten a day and building by one each day from there, so by the time I finished on the day the World Championship would have ended I was doing 45. I have to admit my arms are sore now!

“My son Christian is off school so we’ve been spending a lot more time together, going running and having walks. He’s been playing a bit of tennis up against the wall. It’s helped that the weather has been so good in Dublin.”

On the weekend when Doherty and O’Brien were both playing in Gibraltar, Cork’s Aaron Hill was winning the European Under 21 Championship around 150 miles away in Albufeira, earning himself a two-year tour card.

Snooker fans in the Republic will be keeping a close eye on the World Championship qualifiers later in the summer, hoping their country’s two best ever players will prolong their own careers, and ensure Hill won’t be flying the flag alone next season.

The “bold” and “red” highlights have been added by me.

The part I have put in red is particularly interesting because, without explicitely saying it, it only makes sense if there is a possibility that the “revised” tournament isn’t played in the normal format and, clearly, the delicate subject of players relegation is being examined. Obviously if some players can’t make it by no fault of them, it would be completely unfair to relegate them, and this could affect most of the non UK based players. Also, as I tried to explain objectively, organising the qualifiers is a huge challenge. It may simply prove impossible to do in a safe way. WST is the commecial “leg” of the governing body and their focus is naturally on the “business” side of the sport, it’s sponsoring and its commercial viability. That’s where Barrry Hearn belongs. WPBSA’s focus is on the sport itself, and its exponents, the players. They are the ones facing all the practical, and human issues created by the current crisis. That’s Jason Ferguson’s responsibility. Even if WST and WPBSA do work together, there will be “conflicting” views on the current situation, because their main focusses are different. Those “conflicts” need to be resolved in the best possible way and the above highlighted sentences prove that they are working on it, but the solution(s) – or compromise(s) – have not been found/agreed to just yet. No wonder, it’s a very difficult and unusual situation and a wrong decision could have very grave consequences.

Another interesting article that came to my attention yesterday is this one, by Alan Mc Manus

It’s an interesting and entertaining article, describing what’s going on behind the scenes at ITV tournaments. I strongly recommend you to read it.

I will only quote one paragraph

The production crew you don’t see : From directors to programme editors, script supervisors to cameramen, set riggers to sound men, and floor managers to runners. Generally, there’s a ballpark figure of around thirty or forty on site crew at each tournament. In these times of social distancing, the picture below may add perspective, regarding logistical issues where putting on a live televised tournament is concerned. In addition you have World Snooker staff, referees, security & venue staff. Without wishing to paint a bleak picture, it illustrates the challenges ahead that we all face.

Now … for those who seem to think that I’m unduly negative, think again. This isn’t ME writing, it’s Angles, and this crowd in the picture is the crowd that will almost certainly be needed at the “Tour Championship”, if it’s held. Remember, it’s “only” 8 players. Now think about 128 … and think again. If you don’t see what a logistic nightmare this is, and why it may well prove too much to handle whilst making sure that all involved are safe, you really need a head check.

My wish is that snooker resumes as soon as possible. I don’t want unecessary delays caused by the fact that the focus and energy are set on unrealistic goals. I’d rather have a less ambitious approach, but one that has the best chances to succeed.

Players back at the table soon? Hum …

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 Monique Snooker Snooker

This was published yesterday by WPBSA:

WPBSA Proposals Submitted to Parliament for Re-Opening of UK Snooker Facilities

13th May 2020

The Chairman of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, has today submitted to the Sports Minister proposals for the re-opening of snooker clubs.

The proposals incorporate guidance for club owners and staff to be able to operate as sporting facilities by providing a safe and controlled environment for all.

Since the UK government placed the country into ‘lockdown’ on 23 March to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus we have maintained regular communication with a number of our affiliated clubs, hosting an online forum to help us to identify the key issues currently facing club owners during this unprecedented crisis.

In parallel with these proposals for the opening of clubs to the public, we are today also able to provide further guidance to our professional players based in the UK.

Step 1 – Professional Players’ Return to Work

We are acutely aware of the impact of the current closure of clubs and academies upon our professional players, many of whom have been unable to practice without access to their facilities.

Earlier this week plans were announced by the UK government for the easing of some restrictions over the coming weeks, which will allow some sporting activity to resume. This included the government advice document titled ‘Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy’ which states that:

“All workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open.”

Having carefully considered this government advice we are today able to advise WST professional players only that they can now return to their practice facilities if specified conditions are met. These conditions are clearly set out HERE.

The place of work of a professional snooker player is not only at events. It is also where their practice table is based for training purposes. It is essential that players to have access to training facilities before returning to professional tournament play.

Snooker is no different to other professional sports and professional snooker players are no different to other athletes in this respect. Return to professional competition or approved online activity is essential for professional players to earn a living.

Should any players have any questions or concerns please contact WPBSA Player Relations Manager Neil Tomkinswho will be able to provide further advice.

Step 2 – Re-Opening of Clubs to General Public

We are actively engaging with Parliament through the APPG to demonstrate how snooker can be played safely and responsibly by recreational and amateur players whilst adhering to current social distancing rules.

Key proposals include (but are not limited to) the following:

Regular cleaning of venues on a daily basis

Hand sanitiser to be provided at all tables, entrances and toilets

Regular cleaning of equipment after every customer

Staff to wear masks and gloves

Limited entry to venues / reduced opening hours

Social distancing measures including clear signage for customer flow to/from tables to be observed

Closure of bar areas with limited table service/takeaway food options to be provided

Player guidance to avoid unnecessary sharing of equipment and interaction

Should any club be found to be in breach of guidance provided they would be liable to closure by the relevant authorities.

It is hoped that that through the strict introduction of such measures it will be possible to re-open snooker clubs to the public in a safe and sustainable manner.

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: “The unprecedented global situation that exists has had a profound effect upon us all and of course snooker has not been able to escape the reality that we currently find ourselves in.

“Our message to everyone connected with snooker however is that the WPBSA is there for you and are working hard to be able to restart our sport – at all levels – as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so. This will not be without its challenges, but through the measures submitted to Parliament today we are confident that the wider public will be able to access our sport’s facilities and will remain proactive until this is achieved.”

“We are further grateful for the support provided to us by the APPG which has worked with us closely during this process.”

Next Steps

Following the submission of our proposals to Parliament both the WPBSA and the APPG will maintain dialogue with the government and its relevant authorities to secure the full re-opening of snooker venues as soon as possible.

At the time of writing however, we would remind all UK clubs that they must follow all laws and guidance published by the government at its website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please DO read the conditions for solo training: WPBSA-Step-1-Return-to-training-_FINAL

It’s a great effort by WPBSA to design and submit these proposals to allow players back at the table, for training purposes as the first step. The document is clear, easy to read, and well structured.

Now ask yourself if adhering even just to half of that would be realistically feasible in match play with 12 tables, 128 players, plus fitters, referees, and officials on-site. One of the recommendations is to avoid touching the table as much as possible. How’s that gonna work in a match? I’m well aware that mid-July – the latest possible start for the World Championship qualifiers – is still 2 months away, but I very much doubt that a return to “normal”, or “normal enough” will be possible within these two months. I honestly can’t see the World Qualifiers being played “safely” by then.

Stephen Hendry chats with Willo … and my perceived negativity.

May 13, 2020June 19, 2020 Monique Interview, Professional snooker tournament, Tour News Interview, Professional snooker, Tour

Here is the Instagram chat between Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams. Quite interesting and enjoyable.

Willo is bored out of his skull, has been a bit unwell, and isn’t looking forward to the prospect of playing the World Championship behind closed doors.

Here is Phil Haig reporting on that part of their conversation:

Mark Williams would prefer no World Snooker Championship than an empty Crucible

The World Snooker Championship is likely to go ahead this summer, but with the very real possibility of no fans being in attendance at the Crucible, Mark Williams would rather it didn’t.

The main event of the WST calendar has been rescheduled to start on 31 July and chairman Barry Hearn is confident it will go ahead, although it seems unlikely there will be anyone there to see it.

The Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy states that sport will be returning to broadcast from 1 June, but behind closed doors, making the July start date likely, but spectators unlikely.

There is to be another review on 4 July, which could see limited crowds let into the Crucible, but nothing is confirmed yet.

While some players will be keen to play the World Championships in any form, three-time world champ Williams would rather skip the event for a year than play in an empty auditorium, having played behind closed doors at the Gibraltar Open in March.

‘I’ve just come back from playing in Gibraltar when there was no one there and what’s the point?’ Williams told Stephen Hendry on Instagram.

‘There’s more atmosphere in the club, at least there’s someone at the bar or playing next to you. There was no one there, it was like “what are we doing here?”

‘It’s just going to be strange. Imagine paying in the Crucible, 9-9 in the first round, the visor goes up in the middle and there’s no one there, not one person.

‘If it does go ahead they’ll probably have the most viewing figures they’ve ever had because there’s not many sports going on

‘Would I prefer it to go on? Probably not if I’m totally honest, I’d rather not play if there’s no crowd, it’ll be so strange.’

WST have promised that the full prize money will be paid to players even if no crowds are present at the Crucible, and the financial issue will be bigger for some players than just overcoming an unusual atmosphere.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk when the coronavirus crisis first struck, world number 11 Dave Gilbert said: If the Worlds gets postponed then that’s a real shame, but if it gets cancelled it’s a disaster, we’re going to lose out on a fortune.

‘I’ve had a couple of good years, but I feel bad for everyone, there aren’t many players in our game who can not get paid for six-months plus.

There are a few, I don’t know the bank accounts of anyone, but if Judd and Ronnie and Selby start struggling for money then we all will be. There will be players down the rankings who might be really struggling.’

Hearn is expecting the event to go ahead and is pushing so, partly for this reason, as it is the biggest payday of the season for players involved, all of whom have seen their earning powers destroyed by the global pandemic.

‘I think we have every chance of at least staging it,’ Hearn told Metro.co.uk in April.

‘It will be with the normal prize money, it could cost us £2.5m in gate money, but that’s life, every battle comes with losses and it’s not an issue.

‘The prize money will stay the same, the players will be able to earn their money, because don’t forget most of my sportsmen are self employed.

‘They’re not contracted players like footballers, cricketers or rugby players where they’re negotiating how much to wave or defer, my guys aren’t getting anything.’

Hearn knows that losing the fans is a significant loss, but it would not be as big a loss as the whole event being cancelled.

‘It’s important for me that my players have the chance to earn money because this is the biggest one of the lot,’ he said.

‘It would be a tragedy to stage it with no one there, but if that’s the only thing we can do, that’s what we’ll do. We are talking about mitigating the size of tragedies.’

Answers to some questions:

Best win was his last World Championship win in 2018, with his family there, and proving everybody wrong.

The best decision was to give it another go when his wife convinced him not to retire and go to Steve Feeney to improve his game.

Toughest opponent? Ronnie or John Higgins

Favourite venue? Preston Guildhall. Names a few others but the Crucible isn’t one of them.

The infamous “Bangkok incident” …

Williams doubts that Ding will not win the World Championship now. Too many expectations, and pressure. Ding is probably the best never have won it. He’s only 32 but Hendry thinks he’s past his best.

Rules change? Three misses and then ball in hand for the opponent instead of frame forfeited.

Turning to commentary when retired? Not really.

Remembering Alex Higgins and the little silver piggy charm he gave him. They got along well. He still has it.

The lockdown has got Willo so bored and frustrated about staying home all the time, that he now wants to play as long as possible, even badly. And when he drops off the tour … there is the Seniors tour.

Now back to the article above, yesterday’s post and my perceived negativity…

Let me first say that I certainly don’t want “to cancel everything”. I would love to see snooker return as soon as it can return safely. Barry Hearn brands the possible canceling of the World Championship a “tragedy”. The real tragedy would be if someone – a fan, a player, a referee, an official, a member of the BBC crew or the media … anyone – would get the disease because they attended the event, and dies, or survives but their health is gravely/permanently damaged, or they pass it to someone, maybe an elderly parent who dies… THAT would be a tragedy, not the cancellation of a sporting event no matter how prestigious. The canceled event can be staged another time, the dead person(s) can’t be revived. I don’t want that to happen, and I feel that nobody has right to take ANY risk about it if it can be avoided. That’s my view and nothing will change it.

Now specifically about the World Championship.

There is a possibility that it can be held safely, under closed doors, come the 31th of July. Anything else would not be safe. I read posts saying “The Crucible is less than 1000 people”. Yes indeed, but it’s a very intimate venue, people sit extremely close to each other, and some are close enough to the players to be able to touch them. The proportion of elderly persons in the snooker audience is usually quite high. Unless the crisis is totally under control NOBODY has the right to take such a risk, no matter how much money is at stake.

However, the qualifiers yield an even bigger challenge, as they involve a much higher number of persons and they need to start mid-July the latest. The qualifiers is the part of the World Championship that is ultra-important for the lower-ranked players, the ones who are currently suffering the most from the lack of earnings. They are also ultra-important because, for many players, it’s where their career could be revived … or ended.

Here are excerpts of the conversation I had this morning on Twitter with Phil Haig, the author of the above article, and Gary Moss a snooker blogger and journalist.

Those were my points

Here are the reactions.

Many of you may never have been backstage at the Crucible or at the EIS. I have, Gary has and Phil Haig may have. The logistic is extremely important in the current situation to keep everyone safe.

The Crucible is a great venue for the fans – especially when we get to the one table setup – but it’s actually too small for its purpose when it comes to snooker nowadays. There isn’t much room for anything, be it players/referees room, dressing rooms, media room, practice area, tournament’s office, or hospitality. Everything is small and cramped. And even if there are no spectators some very basic things may prove difficult. Ideally, the players dressing rooms should be cleaned/disinfected each time it’s reallocated. Well during the first two rounds it’s reallocated at every session… and if one session runs late, there might not be enough time for player one to undress, and pack their things, cleaners to do their job and player two get ready for their match. Unless the schedule is completely reconsidered, with an earlier start and bigger “gaps” between sessions. It would be possible – maybe – but probably not with an audience. I can’t see the theatre opening at 7:30 so that the snooker can start at 8.

The real issues are with the qualifiers really, and it’s not just logistics. It’s also about the travel restrictions, their possible consequences, and the fair treatment of all players whose livelihood is at stakes. That’s where the last of the above screenshots comes into the conversation, and you see Phil’s last answer. There is a lot to think about, and surely WPBSA is thinking about those issues. I trust Jason Ferguson about that: he’s a former pro, he will have gone through all the uncertainties associated with being a self-employed sportsperson and he loves his sport to bits. But he isn’t the boss, and he isn’t a businessman first and foremost. Barry Hearn is a businessman, and I’m not sure I trust him 100% here.