No matter how successful or experienced, all snooker players rely on coaches from time to time. Even the likes of Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan have coaches whom they regularly turn to for advice.
Steve Prest, one of World Snooker’s recognised coaches who sadly died in 2009, said: "It’s vital for anyone starting out in the game to find a good coach with the right qualifications who can give them the right advise. Coaches can explain the basics of the game in the clearest way possible, then it’s up to the player to go away and practise.
"Even the top players occasionally develop flaws in their technique, and the right advise from a coach can make a massive difference."
Only coaches whose details appear below are officially recognised coaches of the WPBSA and have undergone satisfactory Criminal Record Bureau checks in the UK in line with World Snooker’s Child Protection Policy.
Coaching courses are to be staged at the World Snooker Academy. There will be standard courses, costing £1000, and intensive courses, costing £1200. On successfully passing the course and Criminal Record Bureau checks, applicants will have earned Official World Snooker Coaching status and will have their details included on the World Snooker website. For application form and further details please contact Jessica Simmons on 0117 3178207 or e-mail jessica.simmons@worldsnooker.com.
Testimonial from Michael Knudsen:
"Thanks a lot for a fantastic stay at your Snooker Academy. I really felt welcome and at home during my entire stay and a special thanks to Garry for his help and guiding regarding my cueing etc.
I'm very happy that I started my snooker career at your Academy and I am sure that there is no place better to develop snooker skills than the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield. I will be playing my first tournament in Denmark this coming weekend and then it is back to the training table.
I will definitely be back in Sheffield when time and money allows it.
Once again thanks for a great stay and also a thanks to Daniel, Judd, Jack and Liu Chuang. It has been amazing living with you for 3 weeks.
Kind Regards
Michael Knudsen - Denmark"
Testimonal from Pete Walker:
"Just a quick message to say thanks for a superb day at the Academy on Friday 30th Oct 2009. I enjoyed it immensely.
Thanks also to Andrew for the great coaching and helpful guidance throughout the day.
Also cheers for the qualifying tickets for next year, that was a nice gesture.
I am looking forward to that now, thanks to you.
Anyway thanks again and all the best for many years to come."
Testimonial from Tim Dunkley:
"Thank you for allowing me to attend the World Snooker coaching course at the Academy on 6th and 7th March, 2007. It was a fascinating two days which has opened my eyes to a whole new world of coaching. Del Hill was a revelation. I hung off his every word and could easily have stayed longer. The man is a legend. I have now fulfilled a two-year dream of becoming a qualified coach. When I was talking to some of the juniors at my club last night I held their attention like never before."
Testimonial from Christopher Lovell:
"I would like to congratulate World Snooker and particularly Del Hill and Mike Dunn who led the course. The course content was interesting, fast moving and innovative and was delivered with passion."
Testimonial from David Mumford:
"May I take this opportunity to compliment the facilities that were used, they were exceptional and a credit to World Snooker and to the city of Sheffield. It was also amazing to think that my fellow coaches attended the course from places as far away as Qatar and Croatia. This clearly proves that our game is developing on a global scale and must therefore be a good sign for the future. To be able to come away from Sheffield with an Official World Snooker Qualification has given me a tremendous boost to go on and develop my coaching skills and enhance my knowledge of our wonderful game."
