Stage Two Beckons for Under-14 Qualifiers and Wildcards

In September we announced a new look for the English Under-14 Snooker Championship. The aim was to enable a new generation of young players to compete in our sport by tapping into coaching set-ups and junior provision at club level.

The story so far…

Stage One has seen 12 EPSB-affiliated clubs across the country run a qualifying event for the under-14 age group, taking up the support on offer to run the event in-house.

A total of 119 players have taken part, many engaging in an amateur event for the first time.

The new format has enabled a significant growth on last year’s championship, which saw 33 entries nationally. Moreover, the competition has widened participation to involve players from different backgrounds, ages and genders.

The championship now moves into the next phase, with events in the north and south to decide who goes through to the national last 16.

Stage Two

A total of 32 players will take part in Stage Two.

These will comprise of the winners and runners-up from each club qualifying event, along with a number of wild cards based on entries and results.

• Stage Two North will take place on Saturday 14 December at Levels in Huddersfield.
• Stage Two South will take place on Sunday 15 December at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club in Eastleigh.

(Both events will start at 10.30am)

Players involved in the six most northern club events will go forward to play in Stage Two North. Those involved in the six most southern events will play in Stage Two South.

A total of 61 players took part in the northern events, while 58 players took part in the southern events.

Wild Cards

Each club is guaranteed two qualified players for Stage Two. In addition, the number of wild cards offered to these clubs has been determined by the total entry in the clubs’ qualifying events, as follows:

North region:

Cueball Derby – 0

Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds – 1

Mill Brow Snooker & Social Club, Widnes – 0

Sams Snooker & Pool, Hartlepool – 0

George Scott Snooker Club, Liverpool – 2

Elite Snooker Club, Preston – 1

South region:

Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon – 0

Breakers Snooker Club, Leicester – 0

Chandlers Ford Snooker Club, Eastleigh – 4

Castle Snooker Club, Brighton – 0

Waterlooville Sports Bar – 0

Club 147, Leicester – 0

Stage Two Format

Both Stage Two events in the north and south will involve round-robin groups which are seeded with event winners. All matches will be the best-of-three frames.

Eight players from each event will go through to the national last 16 in May 2020.

The EPSB dress code will be in place for both Stage Two events. You can view the dress code under the ‘Tournaments’ tab on the EPSB website here.

Next Steps

The EPSB will be in contact with the relevant clubs and selected players to ensure they have full details of the Stage Two events.