EASB junior events - Midlands

[marktebbutt]

Hi all,
I was wondering if any of you junior players (aged under 20) are interested in entering some future EASB events in the Midlands?
I'm a referee and at the couple of events I've done there aren't as many entries as the North and South ones.
I find this to be a shame as there are some talented youngsters in the Midlands area.
Whether you're looking to progress to a professional level or just want to play against better competion then I would urge you to enter some events - this could be the Regional Junior Tours, the under 14, 16 or 18's championship, possibly even the 6 reds championship. Lots of choices!
Maybe you are a parent reading this and think your son or daughter would like to get involved?
I'm going to be honest - I fear that if more players don't join then the EASB will have no choice but to cancel the Midlands events in the next couple of seasons which would be a crying shame.
You might work at or even own a club and know of some talented young players that aren't aware of the EASB events?
I'm trying my best to get more entries and thought posting on here might be a great place to try.
If you could get the word spread as well then that would be great.
Also, feel free to check out the EASB website - www.easb.co.uk for more info.
Thanks for taking the time to give this a read.
Mark

[thecuecoach]

Well said, but as I think most of us involved in the admin of the Amateur game in the UK are aware, the total lack of investment in development and bringing juniors into Snooker and Billiards over the last 20 years, is now coming home to roost big time.
We need a coordinated and funded development structure introduced asap ideally, but even if this is not possible at the moment (Olympic status for Snooker will change this), the EASB Junior tours could be boasted if every Junior Coaching group in England were brought under the same umbrella and were thus coordinated towards shared goals, i.e. like supporting the EASB tours.

Somebody has to take the first step to initiate this ASAP.

[marktebbutt]

Well said, but as I think most of us involved in the admin of the Amateur game in the UK are aware, the total lack of investment in development and bringing juniors into Snooker and Billiards over the last 20 years, is now coming home to roost big time.
We need a coordinated and funded development structure introduced asap ideally, but even if this is not possible at the moment (Olympic status for Snooker will change this), the EASB Junior tours could be boasted if every Junior Coaching group in England were brought under the same umbrella and were thus coordinated towards shared goals, i.e. like supporting the EASB tours.

Somebody has to take the first step to initiate this ASAP.

Totally agree.
There is a junior tour event coming up on Sunday and there are only 11 entries in the Midlands. Not good enough in my opinion.
There must be a fundamental reason why the under 20's aren't entering. The membership and event fees are very reasonably priced.
In my honest opinion there needs to be more advertising. I appreciate that the EASB is run by volunteers so money is an issue but something needs to be done.
I'm just one guy but I'm going to do everything I can next year during the break to get more junior players involved.
I just want to make it clear that I'm not complaining about anyone involved with the EASB as I know how hard everyone works.
Clubs are also partly to blame as I believe they could do more to get youngsters involved e.g. not having a minimum age for memberships.
With so many young players from China becoming professionals it won't take long for them to dominate. We need to get this sorted out in the UK

[pottr]

EASB junior events - Midlands

When is the deadline?

I might see if my lad fancies it

[marktebbutt]

When is the deadline?

I might see if my lad fancies it

The deadline is a week before the event so unfortunately it's already passed.
I would suggest that you check out the EASB website to have a look at future events.
Where are you based if you don't mind me asking?

[Londonlad147]

A few years ago I suggested that in each of the eight Sport England Regions (combining London with SE), they source 8 clubs so that there were 64 nationally. They were already using about 50-odd venues at the time, so it wouldn't have been a huge effort to have found the remainder. In each region they should play locally-run competitions (a series of 6), hosted and run by the clubs, with EASB assistance in how to run events etc where required. There would be a minimal entry fee of say £5 per competition, with say £2 per player going to the club, £2 going into a pot for local prize money, and £1 per player per event going to EASB.

At the end of the six competitions two players from each club would go through to a 16-man regional competition, each providing two players going through to a national last 16. Even after allowing for admin costs, TDs and referees for the regional and national events, there would still be a decent prize pot, if say each club could attract an average of 8 players per event.

I've long argued that EASB junior events, in particular, need to be made as local as possible, to avoid the necessity of long journeys. The time and costs is offputting for so many if you have to travel several hours to a venue. Attracting 8 players per club would mean engaging with over 500 players, compared to what, about 60 players on the regional junior tour at the moment, across just three regions. And the beauty of it is, you then have so many more youngsters to attract into the U14, U16, U18 and U21 competitions, which will make them more attractive: just a modest increase in entries means a lot more prize money.

I even spoke to at least five people who agreed to be a regional coordinator for a region, but certain EASB directors immediately dismissed the idea without serious consideration. EASB seems to be concentrating efforts on elite players, and that is also evidenced by the dropping of the regional masters tours this season, in favour of a national tour, because, they say, they want to fine the very best Masters. Consequently overall numbers have dropped, because steady players who enjoyed some relatively local regioanl compeition are not prepared to travel hundrfeds of miles, pay for a hotel for a two-day event, and get thrashed by the better players.

Until EASB can get some external funding, and perhaps some change on the Board, I really can't see things improving.

[marktebbutt]

A few years ago I suggested that in each of the eight Sport England Regions (combining London with SE), they source 8 clubs so that there were 64 nationally. They were already using about 50-odd venues at the time, so it wouldn't have been a huge effort to have found the remainder. In each region they should play locally-run competitions (a series of 6), hosted and run by the clubs, with EASB assistance in how to run events etc where required. There would be a minimal entry fee of say £5 per competition, with say £2 per player going to the club, £2 going into a pot for local prize money, and £1 per player per event going to EASB.

At the end of the six competitions two players from each club would go through to a 16-man regional competition, each providing two players going through to a national last 16. Even after allowing for admin costs, TDs and referees for the regional and national events, there would still be a decent prize pot, if say each club could attract an average of 8 players per event.

I've long argued that EASB junior events, in particular, need to be made as local as possible, to avoid the necessity of long journeys. The time and costs is offputting for so many if you have to travel several hours to a venue. Attracting 8 players per club would mean engaging with over 500 players, compared to what, about 60 players on the regional junior tour at the moment, across just three regions. And the beauty of it is, you then have so many more youngsters to attract into the U14, U16, U18 and U21 competitions, which will make them more attractive: just a modest increase in entries means a lot more prize money.

I even spoke to at least five people who agreed to be a regional coordinator for a region, but certain EASB directors immediately dismissed the idea without serious consideration. EASB seems to be concentrating efforts on elite players, and that is also evidenced by the dropping of the regional masters tours this season, in favour of a national tour, because, they say, they want to fine the very best Masters. Consequently overall numbers have dropped, because steady players who enjoyed some relatively local regioanl compeition are not prepared to travel hundrfeds of miles, pay for a hotel for a two-day event, and get thrashed by the better players.

Until EASB can get some external funding, and perhaps some change on the Board, I really can't see things improving.

I agree with you about the funding but who would provide it? The only thing I can think of is some kind of sponsorship deals.
I can't really comment about the board members as I've only had contact with certain individuals.
Elite players are definitely needing to come up through the system.
Hopefully the EASB can get more advertising to clubs across the UK during the break next year. It's really the only viable option at the minute in my opinion.
If clubs were to put up a poster about events then that could also get more junior players interested. At the few clubs I've been to not one has had anything up.
Surely if they are an EASB affiliated club then it would be in their interest to advertise it?

[Londonlad147]

I agree with you about the funding but who would provide it? The only thing I can think of is some kind of sponsorship deals.
I can't really comment about the board members as I've only had contact with certain individuals.
Elite players are definitely needing to come up through the system.
Hopefully the EASB can get more advertising to clubs across the UK during the break next year. It's really the only viable option at the minute in my opinion.
If clubs were to put up a poster about events then that could also get more junior players interested. At the few clubs I've been to not one has had anything up.
Surely if they are an EASB affiliated club then it would be in their interest to advertise it?

Experience has shown that too many club managers/owners don't really put too much effort into running events at their clubs and can't be arsed to pin up a poster, particularly if they have to print from an email. I am convinced that what EASB needs is a network of mabassadors, champions, call them what you will, that can visit local clubs and have that two-way communication so that each side knows what's going on, and can ensure posters etc are displayed.

EASB tried to set up a network of regional coordinators maybe 10 years or so ago, but apart from being appointed they were left to their own devices with no management or guidance and were, therefore, totally ineffective. In part it goes down to insufficient manpower within EASB. With proper support from the Board I'm sure such a network could be extremely effective at engaging with new players.

As for funding some kind of project could seek funding from Sport England, maybe through the new EPSB, and the sort of scheme outlined in my previous post might qualify because of the engagement with a lot of new players. SE won't give general grants to support admin, but will fund specific projects.

[thecuecoach]

agree wholeheartedly with your comments about local 'champions'/ organiser's, the problem is as you say though funding, as there needs to be some funding in place for this.
Sport England are in my opinion a body who are institiutionally prejudice against Snooker, as are most of the media and political classes, hence the road to get funding is I believe going to be a very long one, and most probably only achievable when Snooker gets Olympic status.

[thecuecoach]

In my experience many Clubs in our region, do not actively try to push Snooker, concentrating on Live Football and Food.
This is where Londonlad147's regional organiser idea would come in, as these persons could persuade and explain the benefits of 'growing Snooker'.
This lack of 'focus' on Snooker in Snooker Clubs (I know it sounds stupid) hits local Leagues especially, as if all Clubs were more focused on Snooker, this would see increased team entries, which would off course help to grow the amateur game nationally.

Reference to Juniors in Snooker Clubs, our County Association (I am Chair), has visited all our Clubs (Snooker and Social) with tables over the last 18 months (54 in total that we are aware of), to discuss Snooker and Billiards, and the problem we have found here (and I imagine its national) is that there are so few juniors playing its frightening.
Hence we desperately need a national development scheme , with funding (the magic word) to co-ordinate bringing large numbers of players under 16 into Snooker.
As this is not on the horizon our County association has agreed to commit 1k of our budget to actively fund weekly Coaching here.
Without this we believe, our Local League will continue to lose teams, which off course has a negative effect on national competitions.

[Londonlad147]

Reference to Juniors in Snooker Clubs, our County Association (I am Chair), has visited all our Clubs (Snooker and Social) with tables over the last 18 months (54 in total that we are aware of), to discuss Snooker and Billiards,

I'm sure Bob Hill at WPBSA would be pleased to talk to you about your database: he is trying to build a comprehensive database of all English venues with tables, and I'm sure you'll agree that it is hard work to identify them all. He can be reached on bob.hill@wpbsa.com - he's the relatively newly appointed 'Club and Facilities Manager'.

... and the problem we have found here (and I imagine its national) is that there are so few juniors playing its frightening.

Bob and I actually visited a few clubs some months back, and it was disheartening to hear one club owner(about 70ish, I guess) say "oh no, we don't want juniors running around the club". With that kind of attitude the future for English players is bleak. There really needs to be some kind of encouragement and incentive to get youngsters involved in the sport.

[yam yam]

I think the major issue is down to cost. In order to compete, even at junior regional standard the players will have required a fair amount of practice. Snooker has to be one of the most expensive sports to practice. A couple of hours a day would probably set you back at least £10. What other junior sports costs that much just to stay sharp enough to compete. My son is 17 now and woks full time so pays for as much as he can but I still have to help him out financially. He's been in competitions regularly since the age of 8. I dread to think how much the game of snooker has cost us in those years.
He reached the semifinals of the English ranking series last week and albeit with reduced entries, 41 instead of 64. He walked away with £90 prize money and it was £85 entry. Add a hotel for the night and fuel and there was no change out of £200. It won't put us off but you can see why people think twice.

[chrisg]

I'm sure Bob Hill at WPBSA would be pleased to talk to you about your database: he is trying to build a comprehensive database of all English venues with tables, and I'm sure you'll agree that it is hard work to identify them all. He can be reached on bob.hill@wpbsa.com - he's the relatively newly appointed 'Club and Facilities Manager'.



Bob and I actually visited a few clubs some months back, and it was disheartening to hear one club owner(about 70ish, I guess) say "oh no, we don't want juniors running around the club". With that kind of attitude the future for English players is bleak. There really needs to be some kind of encouragement and incentive to get youngsters involved in the sport.

The problem isn't the juniors - it's the fact that clearly in some clubs they haven't got a proper structure (both in social and coaching) to cope with juniors.

The only way to try to get around it is to have more coaches on sites so that juniors can be taught basics, (as well as etiquette in the game etc) But that's only MHO!)

[yam yam]

It all depends on what eventual standard you want to compete at. Take junior football, for instance. youngsters can still compete in a team environment even if they are no where near the level of the strongest members of the squad. Snooker, you're on your own and if you haven't been able to practice or even receive coaching due to lack of finances then you're at a disadvantage straight away than someone who has. You can tell by a country mile at junior tournaments the kids that practice more than others. And asking parents about this, the cost comes up a lot.

[marktebbutt]

Hi all,
Thanks to everyone who has been commenting. Not been on here for a while hence why I haven't been replying.
So it really does appear that juniors just aren't playing, whether it's due to costs or their local clubs won't allow them to play.
I will note that there are much more juniors in the north and south of the UK that enter EASB events, so for now at least these areas are OK. The Midlands on the other hand is a major worry for me personally. Having played snooker from the age of about 13 (I'm now 32) I have seen the decline in my local area. No pro-am tournaments nearby, the local league stopped and the clubs simply don't seem to care about nurturing the younger players. If I only I could win the lottery, open my own club and try to get things changed.....
Not sure what you all think but what if I got in touch with some clubs in the Midlands and explain that there is money to be made by investing more on the snooker side of things? Tournaments, coaching lessons etc.
Most care more about showing sports and making money from food and drinks than they do about maintaining the tables and making the snooker side inviting to people.
It would also be helpful if they actually allowed junior players!
I love the game (as I'm sure all of you do) and I want the UK to start producing more home grown talent.
On a side note - the under 16's championship qualifiers in the Midlands is on Sunday 21st January. Only 4 entries so far! Again, if any of you know any local youngsters that would like to enter then please encourage them to do so.
Would also be nice if some of you come along to watch and show some support. I'll be refereeing so it would be nice to meet you and have a chat about how the game can get big again like the boom in the 80's. Will probably never be that big again but you know what I mean.
Keep the comments coming, it's good to see everyone's opinions!