All budding snooker players will have the chance to chase their dream by qualifying for the professional tour at Q School 2014.
Entries are now being taken for the event which will take place at next May, with 12 two-year tour cards on the World Snooker circuit up for grabs. For the first time, the event will be held at the Capital Venue in Gloucester.
If you have the talent and dedication required to succeed, you could be playing in the biggest tournaments against the sport’s leading stars, for millions of pounds in prize money.
ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING TAKEN – just go to www.worldsnooker.com, look under ‘Featured’ on the home page and click ‘online entries’ then follow the instructions. All players are strongly advised to get their entry in as soon as possible. The closing date for entering Q School is Friday 4 April 2014.
Q School is widely considered to be the best and fairest way of gaining professional status. There are three consecutive tournaments, and the semi-finalists in each of the three events are given a place on the tour. It is open to players of all ages and nationalities (subject to terms and conditions).
Chris Wakelin came through Q School in 2013 to earn a tour place for the first time and is now enjoying life as a professional. He competed at the williamhill.com UK Championship this week and beat Ryan Day in the first round.
“A year ago I wasn’t sure whether I could make it on the snooker tour, but I decided to give Q school a go and got through,” he said. “Now I’m gradually gaining experience on the circuit. Playing at the big venues like the UK Championship at the York Barbican this week is fantastic and it’s what I have dreamed of.”
A ranking list will be compiled during Q School, with players earning one point for every frame won. During the main tour season, should any of the tournament draws fall below a total entry of 128 then the field will be topped up with the highest ranked players from the Q-School list who have not gained one of the 12 tour cards.
This ‘top-up’ system has meant that seven amateurs have played in York, and taken on the top stars like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Ding Junhui.
Amateur Mitchell Travis has scored amazing victories over world number six Marco Fu and Kurt Maflin. He said: “It’s an unbelievable opportunity, to play in one of the biggest tournaments. And to win matches against two of the top players is even better! It just shows that even if you don’t make it through Q School, as long as you win enough matches you will still have the chance to play in a lot of ranking events. I definitely think Q School is the best qualifying system and any players who want a shot at glory should give it a try.”
World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The opportunities available for players to get on to the professional tour, climb the rankings quickly and compete for £8 million in prize money in tournaments all around the world, have never been better. We have introduced new formats for ranking events this year which means all players starting in the same round, whether ranked first or 128th. And next season we are bringing in a money list to replace the ranking list, which again will help gifted players climb the ladder if they go deep in tournaments.
“Q School is the perfect system because it only lasts three weeks, so players coming from overseas don’t have to spend a year in the UK trying to qualify. Plus there are three chance to earn a tour card.
“So the message is clear: if you are good enough and determined enough to succeed in snooker, get your name down for Q School and get practising. This time next year you could be the one walking out on the big stage and fulfilling your ambition.”
Morray Dolan, Commercial Director of The Capital Venue, said: “The Capital Venue is delighted to have been appointed as World Snooker’s preferred venue to host Q School 2014. Having hosted other championship snooker events in the past, this privilege underlines the fact that the South West Snooker Academy, which is part of The Capital Venue building, remains the world’s foremost purpose built snooker centre of excellence.”
So don’t forget…enter Q School today, and chase your dream! For more details see www.worldsnookerqschool.com