Trio head to Malta thanks to Cuestars and Attic Life
THREE of the south’s finest young players are heading to Malta for their first world championship thanks to a sponsorship deal with Cuestars and Attic Life.
Jamie Wilson, Oliver Sykes and Connor Benzey fly out to the Mediterranean early next month chasing a first prize that is the dream of anyone who has ever picked up a cue.
They will be competing in the World Snooker Federation Junior Open for under-18s from January 4-9 at the Malta Snooker Academy, in Hamrun, and the San Antonio Hotel, in Saint Paul’s Bay in the north of the island.
The total prize pot is €10,000 (about £8,400). The winner receives €4,000 (about £3,350) – and, more importantly, a two-year tour card for the professional circuit.
Cuestars director John Hunter and Attic Life boss Neil Herd – who competes on the Seniors Tour – have teamed up to offer the lads £250 each towards tournament entry fees, travelling and hotels.
John said: “This was a great opportunity and Neil and I felt it was important our best junior players did not miss out.”
Jamie, 16, Oliver, 13, and Connor, 17, were selected because they were the top three Cuestars members on the EPSB Under-21 Premier Development Tour (the national junior circuit) and the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour rankings when the decision was made.
Similar to the deal that Attic Life and Cuestars have with professional Billy Castle, they have agreed to return up to £250 from any prize money they win.
For more information about Attic Life, the South West’s award-winning loft conversion company, visit www.atticlife.co.uk. To find out more about Cuestars, which runs grass-root tournaments across central southern England, go to www.cuestars.co.uk
Picture by Tim Dunkley
From left, Jamie Wilson, Oliver Sykes and Connor Benzey
Send me your snooker news now. It doesn’t have to be from a Cuestars tournament. E-mail me details or contact me via Facebook and you could be on the Cuestars website and in your local newspaper. E-mail: [email protected]
Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)