Interview | Daniel Boyes

Daniel Boyes lifted the biggest title of his young career to date back in April when he defeated O’Shay Scott 5-3 to win the 2024 English Under-18 Championship.

The victory saw the 16-year-old cueist, who is part of the EPSB’s Junior Elite Performance Programme, win his first national championship and join a prestigious roll of honour that includes former world champion Judd Trump and multiple ranking event winner Gary Wilson.

We spoke to Daniel to find out more about how he first became interested in the sport, a memorable victory in Northampton and his goals for the future.

How did you first become interested in snooker and when did you start playing?

I first started playing when I was around three or four-years-old. I would pretend to play snooker at my Grandma’s using conkers and stones on a garden table with a cane for a cue and so my Auntie got me a mini-snooker table which fit on to our coffee table.

When I was six-years-old, I started going to the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds. My Dad made me some platform shoes so I could reach the full-sized tables. He later built a cabin in the garden and put a three-quarter sized table in it but I outgrew that at the start of lockdown, so he extended the cabin to fit in a full-sized table which I have played on ever since.

Which club are you currently based at and how often do you practice?

I am based at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds. I have previously practiced in the evenings after school at home and competed at the weekends, but I have now started practicing full-time at the Northern during the week.

Do you have a coach and how do you feel they benefit your game?

Peter Lines coaches me – he has a vast knowledge and experience. In the past, I have had guidance from 1986 world champion Joe Johnson.

I am also learning a lot by playing against more experienced and quality amateur players either at home, or at the Northern, where I can also practice against professional players.

What is your highest break in practice and in competitive play?

In practice, my highest break is 142, and in a competition match it is a 102 clearance.

In April, you defeated O’Shay Scott to win the English Under-18 Championship. Tell us about that experience and how if felt to lift the title?

The English Under-18 Championship was a very long and tough day during which I had to play a lot of frames against close friends. I was really excited and nervous to get to the final and I knew I just needed one more push to get over the line.

I was really pleased and relieved to win – O’Shay Scott is my friend and he played well. It took a while to sink in as a lot of well-known players have won this title in the past.

Other than your victory at the English Under-18 Championship, which other tournament or match wins stand out for you so far?

I have enjoyed competing in the Home Internationals, it is always a good atmosphere with all the players supporting each other.

Two years ago, in my first year, my team won it and last year I was the captain of the Under-16’s ‘A’ team who won the tournament. Looking ahead, I am looking forward to playing in the event again this year and captaining the Under-21’s ‘A’ team.

I have also played in the European Championships in both Malta and Bosnia & Herzegovina – competing abroad for the first time in Malta and reaching the last 16 of the Under-18’s event.

Closer to home, I have won the Yorkshire Under-16’s and Leeds Under-18’s tournaments and was pleased to reach the quarter-finals of the English Under-21 Championship this year.

Tell us about being a part of the EPSB Junior Elite Programme and how you feel it has benefited you?

The Elite Programme has given me an insight on what to expect as a professional. It covered different topics such as nutrition, exercise, sponsorship and media training. It was also great to see behind the scenes of the Crucible Theatre during the World Championship.

In addition, it meant I was a seed on the English Junior Tour and motivated me to do my best to keep my ranking position for the European Championship for the coming season.

Which players from the professional circuit do you most enjoy watching?

Ronnie O’Sullivan. He is a good break-builder who sees shots that other players don’t.

As the new season approaches, what are your aims for the 2024/25 campaign?

I would like to maintain, or even improve, my ranking position in order to qualify for the Under-21 European Championship. I would like to defend my English Under-18 Championship title and progress beyond the quarter-finals, which I reached last year, in the English Under-21 Championship.

My aim is to enter as many competitions as I can and hope to take part in Q School for the first time next year to gain valuable experience.

What are your long-term goals in the sport?

My long-term goals are simply to keep improving and, when I am ready, qualify for the World Snooker Tour. It would be a dream to become a multiple Triple Crown event winner but I realise there is a lot of work to put in to get to that level.