New partnership forged to increase grass roots participation in Snooker and Billiards in England
Representatives of the English Association of Snooker and Billiards (“EASB”), The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Limited (“WPBSA”), World Billiards Limited (“WBL”) and two newly formed subsidiaries of The WPBSA, World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Limited (“WLBS”) and World Disability Billiards and Snooker Limited (“WDBS”) met on Wednesday 29th July with a view to collaborating on projects designed to increase participation in the sport in England.
The representatives at the meeting all committed their respective associations to the partnership which will seek to improve facilities, increase participation and develop pathways for budding snooker and billiards players to achieve their potential and achieve elite status.
The partnership is currently putting together the nucleus of a whole sport plan to show its commitment and long term strategy to developing Snooker and Billiards as sports for all and is seen by the World Governing bodies involved as a pilot scheme which will, in time, be rolled out in other countries. One of the key initial objectives for the board will be to ensure that Snooker and Billiards are represented in the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s consultation process to drive participation in Sport.
The new partnership is made up of the following representatives:
Jason Ferguson – WPBSA
Nigel Mawer – WPBSA
Mandy Fisher – WLBSA
Jeff Robinson – EASB
Clive Brown – WDBS, EASB & WLBSA
Phil Mumford – WBL
Jason Ferguson, WPBSA Chairman said: “On behalf of the WPBSA, I am delighted to see this new initiative come together with the support of so many of our sports stakeholders. Professional Snooker continues to maintain strong growth, however as a World Governing body we have a great responsibility to ensure our grass roots are strong and provide opportunity for all. We believe this new partnership will become a driving force in our Whole Sports Plan.”
Mandy Fisher, Director of WLBS, said: “England has long been producing the best women Snooker and Billiard players in the World and it’s great that the partnership has come together to help recognise and nurture that for the future.”
Jeff Robinson, Director of EASB, said: “The EASB are proud to support the partnership with the WPBSA, WBL, WLBS and WDBS which signals a new era of exciting growth and opportunities for cue sports participants in England.”
Clive Brown, Director of the WDBS, said: “With the backing and active involvement of the WPBSA, the new Partnership promises exciting new opportunities to expand all areas of the amateur games. A coordinated and streamlined approach from all the bodies involved can achieve far more than they can individually. “
Phil Mumford, Director of WBL, added: “I am pleased to be representing English Billiards in the recently formed EPSB project and excited at the new opportunities it will bring to the game and players in England, the country where it all originated.”
