2016 UK Championship

[VillaGuy]

I doubt they would either but I bet more of them know who Andy Murray is, or Usain Bolt, or any footballer, or god forbid wrestler, snooker is an irrelevance as a sport nowadays, it's unfortunate and I don't know how you fix it but Ronnie could turn up in whatever he likes and kids would be bored by what he says in about ten minutes," what do you do mister?" "Well I nudge balls around with a stick , it's really exciting, if you get to be the best you can earn yourself a trip to Sheffield, yes that's right Sheffield, hello ,hello ,where are you going?"

Take it you haven't heard a Murray interview, it turns into a monotonous blur after 10 seconds in, proabably will mean there isn't another UK slam winner for another century when he retires...

[Neil Taperell]

Ronnie is not wrong , there is no Amateur game anymore . You all seen some of the lads that are trying to break into the game say it on the Cuesports interviews that Curtis does .

[itsnoteasy]

On the outskirts of London . Just outside Croydon in Surrey .

The club owner does everything he can to promote youngsters into the game , he can see that they have to start somewhere .

That's really good , good on him.

[Neil Taperell]

Is that in London Neil, because he did specifically mention clubs shutting and no youngsters or grass roots down there.

On the outskirts of London . Just outside Croydon in Surrey .

The club owner does everything he can to promote youngsters into the game , he can see that they have to start somewhere .

[itsnoteasy]

A kid of 6 or 7 probably wouldn't know who Pete Sampras is, it wouldn't make a difference if they came with a huge amount of publicity and a sports car, I'm sure they'd pick it up that they are famous.

I doubt they would either but I bet more of them know who Andy Murray is, or Usain Bolt, or any footballer, or god forbid wrestler, snooker is an irrelevance as a sport nowadays, it's unfortunate and I don't know how you fix it but Ronnie could turn up in whatever he likes and kids would be bored by what he says in about ten minutes," what do you do mister?" "Well I nudge balls around with a stick , it's really exciting, if you get to be the best you can earn yourself a trip to Sheffield, yes that's right Sheffield, hello ,hello ,where are you going?"

[DeanH]

A kid of 6 or 7 probably wouldn't know who Pete Sampras is, it wouldn't make a difference if they came with a huge amount of publicity and a sports car, I'm sure they'd pick it up that they are famous.

My youngest (5) knows the faces of ROS, SD and SH but I am a fan* and that is all he sees when I have control of the buttons
But that is it, I think 100% of the CueSportsClub interviews have family connection that started them playing.
The social club I play at has a rule of no under 14 allowed in the snooker room (three tables) even accompanied so how can you get them playing properly from an early age?

*obsessed more like

[jonny66]

That's a good idea, hotels are pretty bland and one of the same these days, the spark of interest has to start somewhere and an evening playing something competitive with your old man is something that sticks in your memory

That's how I started

Most of the good clubs in Europe Are out of town IME, but they're kind of run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, not like the old clubs I remember. Much more serious atmosphere, so they don't really appeal as a starter for a night out in the same way. I think this is the way forward for snooker though, people in the UK need to get out and do it instead of moaning about it on forums, as I am doing right now :P

[VillaGuy]

I can't think of a better idea TBH...I'm just not convinced it would work.

What would be good is if more hotels had a snooker room, they have the space and most hotels are pretty dull, would be a good way to keep guests onsite buying drinks and even attract non-guests, but that's not really likely to change things dramatically either way.

That's a good idea, hotels are pretty bland and one of the same these days, the spark of interest has to start somewhere and an evening playing something competitive with your old man is something that sticks in your memory

[VillaGuy]

A kid of 6 or 7 probably wouldn't know who Pete Sampras is, it wouldn't make a difference if they came with a huge amount of publicity and a sports car, I'm sure they'd pick it up that they are famous.

[vjmehra]

The thing is, what other avenues are there to explore? If it's not financially motivating enough to have a snooker hall in the middle of an expensive real estate area you then need to look at the other options, and other sports operate away from the centre, I think snooker clubs need to make that choice and it's a choice with different options within itself.

I can't think of a better idea TBH...I'm just not convinced it would work.

What would be good is if more hotels had a snooker room, they have the space and most hotels are pretty dull, would be a good way to keep guests onsite buying drinks and even attract non-guests, but that's not really likely to change things dramatically either way.

[VillaGuy]

I doubt any six or seven year old kids even know who Ronnie O'Sullivan is, or any other snooker player for that matter, unless their dad or family member is into snooker.

I don't think their parents need to be into snooker to know who ROS is

[itsnoteasy]

I've seen the comment that Chris Small has failed the same attempt in Scotland, but I agree with you. If any pro can inspire more of the next generation to come through it's Ronnie, he can whine all he wants but that isn't productive action. Ronnie has the kind success that Chris Small hasn't got close to, if Ronnie went to a school in whatever car he now drives he's going to inspire much more enthusiam that the sport can be a career, it's a money orientated world we live in afterall.

I doubt any six or seven year old kids even know who Ronnie O'Sullivan is, or any other snooker player for that matter, unless their dad or family member is into snooker.

[VillaGuy]

It's an interesting idea, would be great if it could work, but I think again it would only work outside the cities so you still have a huge percentage of the population struggling to find a table :-(

The thing is, what other avenues are there to explore? If it's not financially motivating enough to have a snooker hall in the middle of an expensive real estate area you then need to look at the other options, and other sports operate away from the centre, I think snooker clubs need to make that choice and it's a choice with different options within itself.

[VillaGuy]

It's easy to toot a horn and get people to notice you...
What ROS needs to understand that change begins within the self.

Would schools serious tell ROS to F off if he wanted to do a few exhibitions, clinics and talks to their pupils? The publicity only would have many head teachers drooling.


Promoting the snooker is not just up to the governing body. It's a job for everyone! :snooker:

I've seen the comment that Chris Small has failed the same attempt in Scotland, but I agree with you. If any pro can inspire more of the next generation to come through it's Ronnie, he can whine all he wants but that isn't productive action. Ronnie has the kind success that Chris Small hasn't got close to, if Ronnie went to a school in whatever car he now drives he's going to inspire much more enthusiam that the sport can be a career, it's a money orientated world we live in afterall.

[vjmehra]

Yeah, my experience I have to admit doesn't contain big cities, so I'm not one to think of all the reasons for the closures. I imagine lots of people don't even bother driving or owning a car to get them there. In the rural areas people have a snooker club in their back garden so to speak, lots of farm buildings have a snooker room or outbuilding where they have an invitation friends only membership, not quite the same model as London. Having said that, I reckon there is an argument to explore joint sports centre partnerships with a certain amount of public funding, there's been lots of Lotto money and government support recently with the Olympics success, there's no reason why snooker can't get a cut of the pie.

It's an interesting idea, would be great if it could work, but I think again it would only work outside the cities so you still have a huge percentage of the population struggling to find a table :-(