Jamie Wilson: professional snooker player

JAMIE Wilson has fulfilled his ten-year dream of becoming a professional snooker player. Just let that sink in for a minute.

The 16-year-old Cuestars Gold Tour member earned himself a minimum of two years on the World Snooker Tour in the third and final Q School event at the English Institute for Sport Sheffield.

Wilson admitted he was stunned to achieve his ambition and follow in Billy Castle’s footsteps at such a young age.

He said: “I’m still in shock. It’s such an amazing feeling.

“I entered Q School for the experience and I never expected that outcome so I was under no pressure. It’s nuts.”

A remarkable run of six straight victories kicked off with a 3-2 success over newly relegated professional Michael Georgiou, the 2018 Shoot Out champion.

Now filled with self-belief, the talent from Havant beat James Burrett 3-0, Luke Simmonds 4-2, Dave Finbow 4-3, Fang Xiongman 4-3 and Haydon Pinhey 4-3.

That’s four deciding frame victories, including one on the final black against former professional Finbow.

Wilson, who first picked up a cue aged six, competed in the junior section at Copnor Snooker Club and joined Chandlers Ford Snooker Club at the age of seven. It was there that he the Eastleigh & District Under-13 Premier title a year later. He has been based at Waterlooville Sports Bar since his mum and dad, Suzy and Steve, opened the club in September, 2016.

The teenager paid half of the £1,000 Q School entry fee from prize money he’d won playing snooker and pool over the past year.

His World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley said: “Q School is brutal. To come through that at the age of 16 is staggering. But Jamie has tons of self-belief to go along with his undoubted talent.

“Jamie and Billy have blazed a trail that our new generation can follow. The opportunity is there for anyone.”

Picture by Matt Huart (WPBSA)