Right on Cue

After many years in the wilderness, the Bradford & District Junior Snooker Championships will return at the start of the forthcoming season.

The champion in each age group will be awarded the Joe Johnson Trophy, an honour that befits such a great ambassador of the sport in Bradford.

The 1986 world professional champion is rightly proud to have his name associated with these championships, having spent many years coaching juniors at his academy at Cue Gardens.

There will be separate age groups for under-11s, under-15s and under-18s, with round-robin matches likely at the start of the competition to determine who will proceed to the knockout stages.

Posters will be distributed throughout the district shortly and entry forms will be available to collect from various sources.

It is expected that the T&A will run a feature in the schools section over the coming weeks, highlighting the competition in more detail.

  • Simon Bedford returns to Pontins at Prestatyn next week for event two of the Pro Ticket Tour, looking for a repeat of his victorious start to the season.
  • If the Bradford potter reproduces the form he showed last month in event one, it would take an outstanding performance to beat him.

Bedford's first-round match is on Monday morning against Gary Wilson, a talented player looking to do better than his second-round exit at the last competition.

  • With the new season only weeks away, the Bradford Association are looking for anyone who may be interested in taking part in refereeing seminars.
  • A top English Amateur Snooker Board (EASB) referee will coach would-be individuals to attain grade three certification.

This qualification will enable those people to referee top matches in the district, with an option to be examined further within two years and step up to grade two and the opportunity to referee English-level matches.

Professional referees hold a grade one certification and the step up from grade two is quite intense but rewarding.

As most players in the district are aware, Jim and Pat Callaghan have been refereeing in Bradford for 33 years and their enthusiasm for the game is second to none.

They are both well respected throughout the leagues, including Yorkshire level, and their service has been exemplary.

The pair will continue to referee for some time to come but are keen to see some new blood on the scene to learn the ropes and assist on high-profile matches when they are unavailable.

Some players have already expressed an interest in these seminars and I would be keen to hear from anyone else who wishes to qualify as a grade three referee.

Contact me on 01274-815832 and I will provide you with further information. It is anticipated that the seminars will commence in September.