John Gillard on potting his very first ball: “The texture and sound it made just about acquired me hooked.”
WPBSA coach John Gillard first acquired hooked on snooker when he was 11 after watching the 1988 World ultimate.
The now 46- year-old coaches at The CASTLE CLUB in Brighton and is doing one of the best he can to move on his ardour and data to others, particularly the youthful generations.
He instructed SnookerZone: “I entered my first competitors once I was 12. It was a Frank Sandell southern sequence occasion. I gained the plate with my good pal and gained the under- 13 participant of the day. They’re my prized trophies.”
Gillard hails the Cuestars sequence occasions within the south which intention to provide each participant from junior to senior an opportunity to achieve expertise of match snooker.
”Nothing has fairly changed the month-to-month Pot Black Journal competitors calendar within the 80s/90s,” he added.
High juniors would journey to Willie Thorne’s membership in Leicester and construct up important expertise of the craft of match snooker.
Gillard believes there are some things that would enhance participation within the sport.
Holding frames open and enjoyable. He mentioned novice gamers ought to play extra six purple frames. Fifteen purple frames can get too messy.
“Younger gamers can get slowed down.”
After a foul, cue ball ought to be in hand from wherever on the desk.
As soon as snookers are wanted, the body ought to finish. SnookerZone not fairly certain about that one, however we’d agree that cue ball in hand after a foul would pace issues up a bit.
The beginner scene is a wash with expertise however Gillard cites Connor Benzey from Eastleigh as one to be careful for for the longer term.
“He strikes the ball extraordinarily effectively which is one thing I search for in a participant.”
Exterior of snooker, Gillard informs SnookerZone of his love of soccer.
”I’m a giant collector of classic soccer shirts. All completely different groups and nations from the Nineteen Eighties to current day – primarily Adidas.”
We thank John Gillard for his time and want him effectively in his teaching, and his different sides of writing and illustrating.
