EPSB Achieves National Governing Body Recognition
The English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (EPSB) is delighted to announce that it has been officially recognised as the National Governing Body for snooker and billiards in England.
The decision by Sport England follows a thorough process through which the EPSB has successfully demonstrated that it has met the Sports Councils’ recognition criteria.
Founded in 2015, the EPSB has since assumed responsibility for all aspects of amateur snooker in England and earlier this year announced a significant restructure, which has resulted in a representative Board ideally placed to take the development of our sport forwards.
Over the past two years the EPSB has overseen a comprehensive and inclusive national competition structure which provides opportunities for all to participate in our sport. This includes mixed gender competitions for all age groups, including the prestigious English Amateur Championship, as well as tournaments aimed at developing junior, senior and women players.
This competitions framework sits alongside several key projects aimed at developing snooker and billiards at grassroots level including the introduction of its national club affiliation scheme the 147 Club, an all-new training and qualification programme for referees and officials, and the introduction of a new league snooker registration programme.
Nigel Mawer QPM, EPSB Chairman said: “Today’s announcement is a significant landmark in the development of snooker and billiards in England and is a key achievement for both our team at the EPSB and our sport as a whole.
“This formal recognition by Sport England ensures that we are on a level playing field with the other great sports in this country and means that we are ideally placed to continue the upward trajectory of snooker and billiards at amateur and grassroots level.
“Whether you are a recreational player or elite talent looking to develop and ultimately compete at the highest level of the sport, today’s announcement is fantastic news for you and all of the invaluable stakeholders in our sport including facilities, coaches, officials and more.
“We now look forward to continuing with our development projects and to taking amateur snooker in this country to the next level.”
