2016 UK Championship

[jonny66]

That's a good idea, hotels are pretty bland and one of the same these days, the spark of interest has to start somewhere and an evening playing something competitive with your old man is something that sticks in your memory

That's how I started

Most of the good clubs in Europe Are out of town IME, but they're kind of run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, not like the old clubs I remember. Much more serious atmosphere, so they don't really appeal as a starter for a night out in the same way. I think this is the way forward for snooker though, people in the UK need to get out and do it instead of moaning about it on forums, as I am doing right now :P

[DeanH]

A kid of 6 or 7 probably wouldn't know who Pete Sampras is, it wouldn't make a difference if they came with a huge amount of publicity and a sports car, I'm sure they'd pick it up that they are famous.

My youngest (5) knows the faces of ROS, SD and SH but I am a fan* and that is all he sees when I have control of the buttons
But that is it, I think 100% of the CueSportsClub interviews have family connection that started them playing.
The social club I play at has a rule of no under 14 allowed in the snooker room (three tables) even accompanied so how can you get them playing properly from an early age?

*obsessed more like

[itsnoteasy]

A kid of 6 or 7 probably wouldn't know who Pete Sampras is, it wouldn't make a difference if they came with a huge amount of publicity and a sports car, I'm sure they'd pick it up that they are famous.

I doubt they would either but I bet more of them know who Andy Murray is, or Usain Bolt, or any footballer, or god forbid wrestler, snooker is an irrelevance as a sport nowadays, it's unfortunate and I don't know how you fix it but Ronnie could turn up in whatever he likes and kids would be bored by what he says in about ten minutes," what do you do mister?" "Well I nudge balls around with a stick , it's really exciting, if you get to be the best you can earn yourself a trip to Sheffield, yes that's right Sheffield, hello ,hello ,where are you going?"

[Neil Taperell]

Is that in London Neil, because he did specifically mention clubs shutting and no youngsters or grass roots down there.

On the outskirts of London . Just outside Croydon in Surrey .

The club owner does everything he can to promote youngsters into the game , he can see that they have to start somewhere .

[itsnoteasy]

On the outskirts of London . Just outside Croydon in Surrey .

The club owner does everything he can to promote youngsters into the game , he can see that they have to start somewhere .

That's really good , good on him.

[Neil Taperell]

Ronnie is not wrong , there is no Amateur game anymore . You all seen some of the lads that are trying to break into the game say it on the Cuesports interviews that Curtis does .

[VillaGuy]

I doubt they would either but I bet more of them know who Andy Murray is, or Usain Bolt, or any footballer, or god forbid wrestler, snooker is an irrelevance as a sport nowadays, it's unfortunate and I don't know how you fix it but Ronnie could turn up in whatever he likes and kids would be bored by what he says in about ten minutes," what do you do mister?" "Well I nudge balls around with a stick , it's really exciting, if you get to be the best you can earn yourself a trip to Sheffield, yes that's right Sheffield, hello ,hello ,where are you going?"

Take it you haven't heard a Murray interview, it turns into a monotonous blur after 10 seconds in, proabably will mean there isn't another UK slam winner for another century when he retires...

[DeanH]

2016 UK Championship

Ronnie is not wrong , there is no Amateur game anymore . You all seen some of the lads that are trying to break into the game say it on the Cuesports interviews that Curtis does .

then why when I read about amateur comps having more numbers than for years?

[Neil Taperell]

That's really good , good on him.

He does coaching nights for the kids . They start on the pool tables then progress to the snooker tables .

I put my mates boy in because I want to see him progress , I'm not bothered about winning the league . Just a night out and he can play players better than him . Which can only be a good thing .......and he has our highest break so far ....37 ! Puts the rest of us to shame . I let him play all the home matches and I play the away matches , as he cant go to a majority of the clubs .

[Neil Taperell]

then why when I read about amateur comps having more numbers than for years?

But there is not enough of them Dean , and no structure to the amateur game .

I like what the guy at Litetask is doing at Leeds with his tournaments , and our club is doing the best to get youngsters involved . But too few and far between in my opinion .

[DeanH]

2016 UK Championship

true - the amateur organisation is not doing enough (funds? affiliations? willingness? ability?)
but when an event is held there does seem to be grass roots players that want to play

[jonny66]

I wish people would stop going on about Sheffield as if it's the most glamorous place you can go to playing snooker. There are snooker tournaments in some great cities, Berlin, Vienna, I've never been to China but it's hardly a boring idea is it? There's also loads of tournaments across Europe in some places most people wouldn't even think of going to, but would more than likely love if they did. A modern day snooker players lifestyle is a jet-set dream for loads of young kids.

[VillaGuy]

You're bang on the money there jonny66. Snooker is glamorous as a lifestyle for most of the people on tour, more glamorous than 90% of footballers from the like of Wigan, Sheffield United etc who play in one country only. I like Sofia that has had tournaments a few times, it's a proper up and coming city with many smart developments taking place. Snooker needs to spread its wings and capitalise on other areas for the glamour and incentives to new players as much as anything.

[the lone wolf]

I've seen the comment that Chris Small has failed the same attempt in Scotland, but I agree with you. If any pro can inspire more of the next generation to come through it's Ronnie, he can whine all he wants but that isn't productive action. Ronnie has the kind success that Chris Small hasn't got close to, if Ronnie went to a school in whatever car he now drives he's going to inspire much more enthusiam that the sport can be a career, it's a money orientated world we live in afterall.

I agree. No disrespect to Chris Small, but he's not a household name and probably 99.99% of young people in this country wouldn't know who he is. Compared to ROS, who is probably a recognised sports person to at least 1/3 of young people in this country.

[itsnoteasy]

Take it you haven't heard a Murray interview, it turns into a monotonous blur after 10 seconds in, proabably will mean there isn't another UK slam winner for another century when he retires...

Your joking tennis in the U.K. is booming on the back of him. You don't have to be a flash git with a big car to impress folk , he does it by his achievements, sure he's boring but what he does speaks volumes.