Success for New WPBSA Snooker Coaches
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has successfully held its first official coaching courses since the outset of the global coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.
Hosted by the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Reading back in September, the course dates provided the opportunity for delegates to complete both our introductory Level 1 course and the subsequent 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Snooker Coaching.
Both courses have been carefully adapted to be able to operate safely in line with guidance published by the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards, in line with UK government advice in place at the time. This includes online delivery via Zoom and Webex, in place of traditional classroom-based learning, alongside practical training delivered by former world champion Shaun Murphy, Nigel Bond and Andrew Highfield.
Four Gain 1st4sport Level 2 Qualification
Following their attendance at the Level 2 course in late September, we are pleased to confirm that Mark Ringham, Django Fung, Jamie Dykes and Michael Pearce have all since successfully attained the full qualification.
In addition to attending the initial course, delegates must subsequently complete a portfolio based on lessons coaching two players in line with 1st4sport Qualifications standards.
We spoke with each of the four successful coaches who shared their experience of the course with us…
Django Fung
“The course was very good and professionally run by Chris Lovell and the rest of the team. It was fun, very rewarding and I would encourage anyone who is interested in the game and has a good knowledge of it already to have a go.
“To have an official WPBSA Snooker Coach in place at the Grove will help us to reach out to more players to promote the game. In the past we have turned down a lot of enquiries about coaching and had to outsource coaching staff.
“I am very fortunate to have been working with lots of top players in the game and with this knowledge, qualification and my experience, I should be in a better place to advise the top professional players, as well as to help anyone who wants to play.
“I would definitely try to complete the Level 3 Advanced Certificate and I am sure that it will be fun!”
Michael Pearce
“The course was well thought out and put together, in particular the practical delivery in Reading which I thoroughly enjoyed. To have two professionals in attendance to be able to listen, demonstrate and answer our questions was a brilliant experience.
“It means everything to me to achieve this qualification as I have loved this game since Pot Black 1969 and have now been playing now for some 40 years. It is an honour to be able to give something back in an official capacity and I hope to able to build on my qualification skills and establish a good client base. I also look forward to working in conjunction with the David Gilbert Academy helping the latest young talent in our area which has just been set up in Tamworth where I am based.
“It is well worth doing the course if your passion for snooker is a great as mine and you want to help others to improve their game!”
Jamie Dykes
“The course really did fulfil my expectations throughout. I felt that the online learning of the course connected seamlessly with the assignments set, which combined well with the practical delivery of the course which was very detailed.
“Shaun Murphy in particular was a fantastic addition as someone currently at the very top of the game and I could learn so much from him. All of the team were extremely supportive throughout the course.
“I now hope to be able to develop a strong junior club and expand snooker in my region from the grassroots up. This qualification will help me to support players to achieve their personal goals at all levels of the sport.”
Mark Ringham
“I am very proud to have been able to pass the Level 2 course which more than fulfilled my expectations.
“The whole team were amazing and very down to earth during the practical elements of the course, while the online delivery was much better as it reduced travel and saved hotel costs.
“I am now excited to be able to build my client base and to start coaching even more.”
Upcoming Course Dates
Due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the current government restrictions in place within the UK (which have tightened since our previous staging of the course), we have not yet published upcoming course dates for the 2021.
We hope to be able to announce these dates shortly, however if you would like to express your interest in attending a future course in the meantime please contact us via our website.
