Interview | Craig Steadman

Craig Steadman returned to the amateur circuit in 2023 after a professional career spanning 14 years and earlier this year we caught up 42-year-old to reflect on amateur snooker in England and beyond.

In his two seasons competing in English Partnership for Snooker & Billiards (EPSB) events, Steadman has won the English 6-Red Championship title and finished top of the English Seniors Tour ranking list in back-to-back seasons. The latter successes earned him a place in the 2024 European Seniors Championship in Portugal, which Steadman won to secure a return to the iconic Crucible Theatre for this year’s World Seniors Snooker Championship.

Have have you found life on the amateur circuit since returning in 2023?

It’s not bad at all. I thought that life after the Tour would not be great but, if anything, I’m busier now because there’s a tournament every week – especially with being over 40 because I’ve also got the Seniors stuff as well as other EPSB events, the Q Tour and World Snooker Federation (WSF) Championships so there’s a lot going on but it is a lot different. The conditions aren’t always what you are used to as a professional but you get accustomed to that.

What have you enjoyed about playing on the amateur circuit?

The thing I do like doing is playing in the tournaments. I think the older you get, the practice gets a little bit harder, but I still love competing in tournaments and there’s certainly no shortage of those!

I’d love to get back on the World Snooker Tour (WST) and have another couple of years on there before it’s too late. Whether its too late now remains to be seen.

How does this compare to your previous experiences before turning professional?

I think it is better than it was when I played in these events before I got on the Tour originally. There’s a lot more to go at and if you want to play in one then there’s a tournament every single week which is what I like.

Even if you do want to continue playing snooker but not at a full time schedule then you certainly can’t grumble about the opportunities to play because they’re all set out in front of you.

What advice would you give to newcomers to the amateur circuit?

Whether you like the conditions or not, it’s tough and you’ve got to adapt to that and unfortunately you’re not in the privileged position to be playing in big venues on perfect tables – you’ve just got to deal with what is put in front of you which is difficult sometimes. If I can get on with it then I am sure other people can too!

You’ve had notable success on the English Seniors Tour – how have you found these events?

I really like the Seniors stuff. It’s so relaxed and sometimes that brings out the best in you. If I could take that feeling into the other tournaments, I might do a bit better in those! I played my first European Seniors Championship in Portugal last year and won that, along with the Team event  – there’s lots to go at!