What age do I have to be?

The Academy is open to all children under the age of 18.  Whilst there's no minimum age limit, we find most children under 10 years of age would find the concentration levels the game requires to be a struggle.  We do have support to help children properly reach table height if necessary.

Do I have to bring an adult with me?

We prefer that you have a responsible adult with you, especially at first.  There are some forms regarding welfare and health & safety that we need them to sign, and you'll enjoy it more knowing you have someone you know well with you.

Once you're used to the Academy and have worked with the coaches for a while, then this isn't something that we insist upon.

Do I need to bring my own cue?

We have a range of cues at the club that you can borrow, including shorter cues designed for children.  We don't advise that you buy your own straight away.

As you get better, you will want to buy your own cue and we can offer advice on what to look for.  We might even have some for sale.  There's a lot to think about when buying a cue: Ash or maple?  Length and weight?  Tip size, extensions, cases... 😵‍💫

Cues vary enormously in price too - so how do you know what's good value, and why are some cues so much more expensive?  We can offer advice so that you don't spend a fortune on a cue that isn't really suitable.

If you still are determined to buy a cue, our tip is to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.  Like the wands in the Harry Potter stories, all cues are different, and they won't all suit you.  It's worth trying several before you commit to buying, so we recommend you avoid the bargains online as they often aren't as good as they seem.

Do you sell refreshments?

Yes, you can buy soft drinks at the bar, and of course you can bring your own water bottles with you too.

Teas and coffees are available, as well as crisps and other snacks.

Isn't snooker just for boys?

No, absolutely not!  Girls are welcomed too, and actively encouraged.  Annette, our lead coach, has played in World Women's Snooker events, and there are Women-only events available for under 21s too.

The current Women's World Champion, Bai Yulu, is an excellent role model.  Currently aged 22, she is a 2x World Champion and now also plays on the full Professional Tour, as do several other top women players, such as multiple former World Champion Reanne Evans.

Snooker is one of the very few sports where men and women can and do compete on equal terms against each other.  There's never been a better time for girls to get involved!

Do I have to be a member of the club?

No, the Academy is supported by Hollins Grove Conservative Club but operates independently, so you don't need to be a member.  

That said, membership fees are very reasonable, and this would give you access to the snooker facilities to practice at other times when the club is open*.  Just ask Mik or George if you'd like to know more.

* The club asks that junior members only play snooker with a responsible adult present, and, as you'd expect, a high standard of behaviour is expected.

Is it really only £1 each week?

Yes!  All the coaches support the Academy on a voluntary basis.  We do this each week purely for the love of the game and to hopefully develop the next generation of snooker stars.

The £1 charge is used entirely to support the running of the Academy and to develop it further, for example through improved coaching materials. 

Isn't snooker boring?

Well, we don't think so!  Snooker takes great skill and is a very difficult game to master.  If you've played pool before, or snooker on a small table, the hardest thing to get used to at first is the size of the tables - they look enormous!

Once you're used to that though, and with a bit of coaching, you'll soon be potting balls and progressing.  As you improve, the game becomes more and more intriguing and you'll soon be hooked and want to enter junior snooker competitions!

Did you say junior competitions? Tell me more!

The Academy doesn't run any competitions, but as your game progresses then we'll be happy to explain how to get involved in competitions further afield.

Unfortunately, regional events for juniors are not currently well established, but we do occasionally hear of events locally and we'll keep our eyes and ears open for any opportunities.

If we can build up sufficient numbers at the club then we'll be happy to organise competitions in-house.  Why not get your friends to come along and try too?

When you're ready, then there are national snooker events for juniors at under-14, under-16 and under-18 level (plus under-21 too) - check out the junior snooker pages at the  English Partnership for Snooker & Billiards (EPSB) and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).  You aren't restricted to just one category - for instance, 15 year-olds can enter the under-16s and under-18s competitions in the same year.

We are proud to have hosted the EPSB Under-14 Stage 1 qualifiers at Hollins Grove in the past.  We did this for three years in a row, between 2022-2024 and would like to do so again in the future.

Are there any other competitions I can enter?

Hollins Grove Conservative Club occasionally run knockout competitions for their club members.  These are handicapped, which means the better players have to give progressively more points start to weaker opponents.  If you become a member, then you would of course be able to enter these.

The club also enter teams in local leagues and again, these are run on a handicap basis.  This is a good way to develop proper competitive experience.  Iain, George and Mik all play for the club in this way and can advise you further.  You'd have to be a member of the club, and as the club's teams are very successful (check out our trophy cabinet!) you'd have to earn your place!

Kobi, currently aged 14, still attends the Academy and now plays regularly for the club.  All the leagues we compete in have individual and doubles handicap tournaments to enter as well.

How do I become a professional?

Let's take things one step at a time!  Firstly, there are the junior events and the opportunities to represent the club in local leagues explained above.

When you are good enough, there are open competitions at regional and national level available, but these are for the future as the standard is exceptionally high.

Two current Hollins Grove members, who both came to the Academy, Anthony Wall and Conor Walsh, have both competed on the Q Tour or UK Open Series events, both of which offer routes to the Professional Tour.  So, there is a genuine pathway right from our Academy through to the highest levels in the game.

Can I have private coaching too?

If the Academy isn't very busy, then you'll get plenty of one-to-one coaching time and we are confident your game will improve quickly.

If you are looking for further dedicated one-to-one tuition then speak to Annette or Iain.  Options are available, but there will be a reasonable charge to pay.