Need help with my twin boys, 9 years old, Birmingham

[donsajid]

Hi All,

This is my first post here as I need help nurturing the talent my two boys have displayed in the 9 months since i got them a 7ft snooker table in the front room.

I've taken them down to a local snooker club recently, and one has hit a 29, the other a 23. That is from a lineup practice, red, color, red etc.

Both have differing styles, one models himself on Ronnie, the other on Selby, and both have a good cue action. I would like to think they got it from me, as I am also a keen player but I never had the same opportunity.

As I said, it's only been 9 months since they started, but I definitely feel I should be pursuing this as they are very keen to be world champions, and I can see the hours they put in on the table at home.

So, thats my reason for posting here today. I am looking for any information that anyone can offer. I am in the Birmingham area, so if anyone knows of any decent training academies closeby, or any junior leagues, anything you may think is relevant, I would like to hear from you.

Thanks for your time.

Saj.

[markz]

There is a good coach based in Wolverhampton called Andrew Highfield, he is at Sheffield this week coaching in the cue zone area. Does his coaching from Goldencue in Bilston. They also have the Paul Hunter Foundation from the same club to help youngsters.

[donsajid]

Hi,

Many thanks for the reply markz. I am actually travelling down to the crucible tomorrow morning with the kids. I was hoping to get the kids onto the star table they have in the background during breaks, but from what you just told me, I have a name too so that's fantastic.

Bilston is not too far at all, so I think I could be onto a winner here.


Many thanks again for your help.

[Terry Davidson]

Although I'm not overly familiar with the training opportunities in England I know Neil Johnson runs a junior academy but I'm not sure how far away he is from you. He is on Facebook all the time and you could contact him there.

My advice would be to grab the bull by the horns and get your sons into a junior academy as quickly as you can. They are at an age where they will learn very quickly as since they are already running 20's in the line-up and have good motivation it's obvious to me they should be nurtured as much as you can afford to.

[donsajid]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for your input. I googled him and he is based mainly in merseyside, a bit far out for me. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow at the cue zone, so stay tuned !

[DeanH]

snookerdad, here on TSF runs youth clubs and coaches young players, he is based near Chandlers Ford so is probably not good for you either, but he may know of more local people who could help.
I will PM him for you and link him to this thread, so cross fingers he many help you

[donsajid]

Hi Dean,

Many thanks for your reply and also for your kind assistance.

I went down to the crucible today, not really the crucible, we were in the winter gardens, and I met up with Andrew Highfield as mark suggested. Top bloke, and got the kids a few go's on the STAR table. I had a couple go's myself so a really nice day out in the end.

The kids left an impression on the coaches there and they all agreed that the potential is there :-)

Got Andrews number and he said to call him after the world champs which I will be doing....

Many thanks for all the suggestions, and if anyone can think of anything else then please feel free to chime in.

[Neil Taperell]

Sounds like a great day and a worthwhile visit .

[DeanH]

Need help with my twin boys, 9 years old, Birmingham

no problem donsajid
glad you had a great time
I hope snookerdad pops on on with helpful info

[DeanH]

Need help with my twin boys, 9 years old, Birmingham

got to say kudos to the club to allow 9 year olds to play on a table
all the clubs I have been in don't allow anyone under 14 yr on the tables

[markz]

Hi Dean,

Many thanks for your reply and also for your kind assistance.

I went down to the crucible today, not really the crucible, we were in the winter gardens, and I met up with Andrew Highfield as mark suggested. Top bloke, and got the kids a few go's on the STAR table. I had a couple go's myself so a really nice day out in the end.

The kids left an impression on the coaches there and they all agreed that the potential is there :-)

Got Andrews number and he said to call him after the world champs which I will be doing....

Many thanks for all the suggestions, and if anyone can think of anything else then please feel free to chime in.

Hi Saj, sounds like you had a great day. Andy is a top bloke and a very good coach. At Goldencue where he's based it caters for lots of kids. They even have a team of youngsters in the West Midlands league from the Paul Hunter Foundation that have done really well this last couple of years.

[snookerdad]

Getting help from a coach is a good idea, as long as it's in parallel with playing regularly.

Many snooker clubs have junior sessions at the weekend, although I'm not familiar with the Midlands scene.

I would suggest ringing around the clubs in your area or asking advice from local players and getting the lads into a junior section ASAP.

As far as regional competition is concerned, it's best that your coach advises you on that. That's what I do with my lads at Chandler's Ford SC near Southampton.

Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)

[sixofclubs]

Hi Saj,

My new club may be somewhere you could consider for your boys to practise for the best long term value. It may be a bit too far away but have a look anyway

www.thebaulk-line.com

Regards

Jon

[Phil C]

Sounds like you had a very productive day mate

[RogiBear]

There's also the midlands snooker academy in Walsall.