Overview
Courses
Facilities
Coaching

Contact

Junior Schools

Focal Point

Community
Links

Businesses evening

Students meet Ding and Ebdon

The World Snooker Academy within the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield opened its doors in July 2006 and was officially opened on September 13 by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The development at the Sheffield International Venues-managed facility provides a state-of-the-art training base for both amateur and professional snooker players.
Funded by Yorkshire Forward, the 6,000 square foot Academy is home to elite snooker players coached at the facility. It will also stage qualifying rounds of key professional tournaments and act as catalyst for the creation of a number of community and educational snooker initiatives.
The Academy was incorporated into Sheffield’s successful bid to retain the 888.com World Snooker Championship for the next five years at the city’s Crucible Theatre. It includes eight competition standard snooker tables and spectator seating.
"This is the culmination of many months of hard work behind the scenes to get to this stage. The Academy further cements Sheffield’s status as the City of World Snooker," said David Fletcher, Director of Sheffield First for Investment, who led Sheffield’s bid to World Snooker last year.
"Thanks go to all the key partner organisations who have supported the City Council and made this possible, including Yorkshire Forward, Phoenix Sport Limited, Sheffield International Venues and Sheffield Theatres Trust.”
Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of World Snooker, added: "The World Snooker Academy is a major step forward and forms an integral part of our aspiration for the future of the sport. It will create a high quality environment for snooker as well as acting as a vehicle to promote the sport at grassroots level through a range of community and education initiatives. We are delighted that Sheffield has underlined its status as the home of snooker not only through the Crucible but also through this investment in new talent."
Neil Jenkinson, Head of Culture and Major Events at Yorkshire Forward, said: "This centre of excellence will act as the spring board for the sport’s up and coming players. The City of Sheffield has a long term affinity with the sport of snooker, the Academy facility represents a firm commitment from Yorkshire Forward to showcase the region’s ability to host such world class events.
Sheffield International Venues’ Chief Executive Steve Brailey added: "The Academy will be another fantastic addition to our superb portfolio of sporting facilities in Sheffield. It is a very exciting time for the sport and our city and we hope the Academy at EIS-Sheffield will develop a new generation of snooker stars."