Eight-year-old Wonderkid

[snookerdad]

We have an eight-year-old at Chandler's Ford, near Southampton, who today made a 40 clearance in our Under-21 Roll-Up.

This is almost certainly a record for our club and possibly for the Southampton area.

But how does our wonderkid rate nationally?

Tim Dunkley

[RaNeN]

WOW! An 8 year old??? Does he even reach the table?

Unbelieveable!!!

[snookerdad]

It seems to be a universal misconception that youngsters can't reach the table. At the age of eight he had his arm and elbow straightened by his coach. Younger kids have to hold their cues slightly sideways but as long as they can get their bridge habd flat on the table their is no problem. We had a five-year-old and a six-year-old playing a couple of weeks ago and they could reach ok. Tables are very long and very wide but they are not as tall as people think. We need to get kids of this age off their small tables at home and into the junior leagues.

Tim

[RaNeN]

Amazing! Good luck to the little fella!

[Cessy143]

It seems to be a universal misconception that youngsters can't reach the table. At the age of eight he had his arm and elbow straightened by his coach. Younger kids have to hold their cues slightly sideways but as long as they can get their bridge habd flat on the table their is no problem. We had a five-year-old and a six-year-old playing a couple of weeks ago and they could reach ok. Tables are very long and very wide but they are not as tall as people think. We need to get kids of this age off their small tables at home and into the junior leagues.

Tim

I completely agree with you SD. At this age, I spent too much time on smaller table at home, was great fun though. Until I got a little taller, I also held the cue slightly to the side and kept my arm completely straight on the table. This allowed me to push the cue through in a straight line.

[Obligation]

Good luck to the kid!

[..KiD DyNaMiTe..]

Theres a 12 year old down my club called Lewis he can pot alomst any shot but he hitst he ball so hard and has no idea of saftey what so ever but he's always knocking in 20's/30's and gotta 45 the other in the handicap tournament

[snookersfun]

Theres a 12 year old down my club called Lewis he can pot alomst any shot but he hitst he ball so hard and has no idea of saftey what so ever but he's always knocking in 20's/30's and gotta 45 the other in the handicap tournament

is that kid a hamiltonfan? He used to be on the BBC board a lot

[..KiD DyNaMiTe..]

is that kid a hamiltonfan? He used to be on the BBC board a lot

Dont think so, I'll ask him next time I see him

[Cessy143]

Theres a 12 year old down my club called Lewis he can pot alomst any shot but he hitst he ball so hard and has no idea of saftey what so ever but he's always knocking in 20's/30's and gotta 45 the other in the handicap tournament

Usually a few young lads like this in most clubs. Sounds nothing special IMHO. If he was making regular 50+ breaks, would sound fairly promising. He may prove me wrong, and I'm sure you'll let me know

[snookerdad]

I saw Shane on Sunday morning. He still had the biggest and cheekiest smile in the world. Shane and his dad and his coach were absolutley gob-smacked that he had recieved congratulations from as far away as India. Perhaps total disbelief is the right phrase. I am going to put all your kind messages on a piece of paper on Friday night and give it to him an Saturday so his dad can put them in a scrapbook.

Thanks

Tim Dunkley

[richard28a]

the fact the lad has got it together enough in the first place to get a 40 odd break means he has a natural aptitude for the game which is good starting platform.i suppose his future comes down to how he's coached and how much he wants to play the game.

[snookerdad]

Shane loves playing. Win or lose he plays with a smile on his face. If he loses interest then so be it. If he becomes a "teenager" too soon then so be it. But even if he packs the game in tomorrow he has had a year of fun and has brought some magic moments to Chandler's Ford.

Thanks for your comments. They will be added to Shane's scrapbook.

Tim Dunkley

[adcaceo]

I think it's brilliant that youngsters are getting into the game at such an early age. It shows that anybody can get into the game and be good at it. I hope the kid keeps it up he could be a star in the future

[snookerdad]

Last Sunday young Shane knocked in his first half-century in a practice match. Still only eight, he chalked up a 53 at Chandler's Ford snooker club.

Yesterday he beat his competitive high break. Playing in the Chandler's Ford Under-21 Roll-Up he made a 46.

Tim Dunkley