Mark Wells, World Snooker Community Coach

A NEWLY-qualified snooker coach is keen to help Bournemouth’s young players take their games to the next level while retaining an element of fun.

Mark Wells, who runs the Saturday morning junior sessions at Greenbaize SC, has passed the Level 1 World Snooker Community Coach course at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds.

The hard-working and well-respected 21-year-old said: “I found the course enjoyable and very inspiring.

“It was a very busy day and being surrounded by people who share a passion for snooker really helped build upon my own enthusiasm for the game.”

As previously reported, Wells bowed out of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour last season and earned wide-spread acclaim for picking up a first winner’s trophy in his final tournament in Salisbury in May.

A long-term member of the Greenbaize junior section, Wells, along with Brad Chappell, took over the reins after the previous organiser left in 2011.

“There’s a lot of young snooker talent at the Greenbaize on a Saturday morning,” added Wells.

“I took the course because I want to be able to support and develop that talent as much as possible. It is very easy in snooker to get to a certain level of playing the game and then just stay there.

“I want to be able to help guide young players to the next level and fulfil their potential. At the same time, it is important to have fun playing the game and I aim to strike that balance with the kids on Saturday mornings.”

The one-day course was run by World Snooker coaches Chris Lovell, Andrew Highfield and Chris Motley.

Lovell, head of coaching at the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association, said: “It was a great day with everyone showing the passion and desire to get involved with the team and support the growth of the game.”

Junior sessions for boys and girls aged under-21 are run by Wells and Chappell at the Greenbaize SC every Saturday from 10am-12.30pm at a cost of £4.

Pictured, from left: Chris Motley, Andrew Highfield, Mark Wells, Chris Lovell.

Report by Tim Dunkley.