New Asia-Oceania Q School To Boost Snooker’s Global Growth
Snooker’s first ever Asia-Oceania Q School will take place later this year, giving new opportunities for the most talented players in those regions to graduate to the professional tour.
Asia-Oceania Q School 2022 will take place in Bangkok, starting on June 1st . Two tournaments will be staged, with the finalists from both to earn a two-year card to the World Snooker Tour. So in total four players will be awarded a place on the professional circuit for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.
The event will be open to anyone who is resident in Asia and Oceania, with an entry fee of £400.
Meanwhile, a separate Q School event will be staged at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, open to anyone in the world. There will be three tournaments, with the four semi-finalists in each to receive tour cards, so 12 players will graduate to the main circuit.
It will run from May 16th to June 5th (subject to the number of entries) with an entry fee of £1,000.
Players cannot enter both Q School events. Details of how to enter will follow soon.
WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “This is a very significant moment in terms of providing opportunities for the best talent in key growth regions to qualify for the elite World Snooker Tour.
“Q School has been running since 2011 but for the first time now we are staging a Q School event in Asia. Snooker is not a UK sport, it is a completely inclusive sport which belongs to the world, and it is so important to provide development pathways for all young players.
“We are thrilled to be working with our partners in Thailand on Asia-Oceania Q School, especially as they have a long history of hosting successful tournaments. Snooker has huge popularity in this region, and while we already have many successful players from China, Thailand and Australia competing on the pro tour, there is undoubtedly a vast talent pool of cueists who will welcome this opportunity. I am sure that the standard of play at the Q School event in Bangkok will be incredibly high.
“Equally, we are delighted to stage Q School in the UK for the 12th consecutive year as it is the best and fairest route to qualification for the tour. Over the years we have seen many players come through that system and go on to reach the world’s top 16 and win tournaments.
“This a fantastic time for young player to turn professional as our sport looks towards an exciting future. Wherever you are in the world, it’s time to prepare for Q School 2022!”
Mr. Suntorn Jarumon, President of Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, said: “We are absolutely delighted that WST and WPBSA have given us the opportunity to be the host country for this first ever Asia-Oceania Q School Event. This will enhance the chance of young players in these regions to earn the spots for the main tour without having to travel all the way to UK and can also save a lot of expenses in doing so. I strongly encourage players who have always dreamed of becoming professional to take this golden opportunity to earn their tour card right here in Thailand for the next two seasons. We will be looking forward to seeing you soon.”
Article by WST.
