Leicester club turns its attention to snooker

Club 147 in Leicester has long been regarded as a centre for high quality pool facilities and competition.

It is the home venue for Leicestershire County Pool Association and runs its own Club Tour events.  In addition, the club proudly hosts national trial events for the English Pool Association. But it isn’t stopping there.

Club 147 became the very first member of the EPSB’s club affiliation scheme and has since reaped the benefits in a quest to advance its snooker activities.

The club recently put forward club member Steve Morriss to undertake the WPBSA’s Level 1 Snooker Coaching course, with a view to offering in-house coaching. The club received a 50% discount on this course thanks to completing its gold membership to the club scheme.

Reflecting on the training day, Morris commented: “[It was] absolutely amazing! I found it really informative and friendly. The tutors delivered a very professional course. We covered so much in just one day, from how the game has grown to safeguarding children, training routines and mini-games on a Little Star table.

“I managed to access the course through the 147 Club affiliation scheme, which was brilliant with the discount. I’m feeling great to be part of the WPBSA coaching team.”

The club also responded to a World Snooker offer to gold members to obtain one-of-a-kind canvases with highlights of upcoming events on the Main Tour calendar. Club 147 owner Ramesh Vadher kindly made a £200 donation to Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home, World Snooker’s official charity partner. The club has put the canvases on display and is thrilled with the results.

Vadher is pleased with the club’s progress regarding snooker and its involvement in the club scheme, stating: “Since joining the scheme we have taken advantage of the discounted coaching programme and with the help from the EPSB we have already started recruiting members to take advantage of the coaching, plus we have just refurbished our snooker tables and this has created a ‘buzz’ around the club.

“We hope to send another person to the coaching day soon to help our new junior academy, which is in progress. The 147 Club scheme is the best way forward to support snooker players from grassroots through to future world champions.”

With the club’s ambitions to truly bolster its snooker prospects, the EPSB will work with Club 147 to formulate a snooker development plan to enhance its snooker provision alongside its excellent facilities.

To find out more about support for club development contact the EPSB