Massive sponsorship deal for Cuestars champion

IT’S the biggest sponsorship deal for a Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club junior for more than five years.

Totton-based Quickdraw Supplies has forked out £900 to help Steven Hughes continue his phenomenal run of green-baize success for another year.

Hughes, who attends The Toynbee School and lives within walking distance of his home club, described the support as “amazing”.

The 15-year-old’s highest break in competition is 62. He won the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour rankings title in 2014/15, the Silver Tour championship play-off last season and is currently ranked second on the Gold Tour.

Last year, he became the youngest Super League player when he was signed by Chandlers Ford Central Club A. He also competes on the EASB Regional Junior Tour – South West, a feeder for the national under-21 circuit.

“I’m so pleased to receive this amazing support from Quickdraw which will take the financial pressure off my parents and enable me to enter more competitions around the country,” said Hughes.

Quickdraw managing director Steve Jones said: “Looking at his portfolio, he’s got something about him.

“We’re quite proud to be able to sponsor youngsters like this. We get good support from local people in the shop and online and it’s just nice to be able to put something back.”

The 49-year-old, who lives in Bartley, just outside Totton, started the business from his mum’s bedroom 24 years ago.

It now employs 42 local staff, has a shop in Totton and supplies a vast range of products from stationery to toys to arts and crafts worldwide from a 16,000 sq ft warehouse.

The company supports many local schools and already sponsors Lyndhurst Football Club and Fordingbridge racehorse trainer Paul Henderson – and, from next season, Tottonians Rugby Club.

“It’s been a tough old journey but it’s been fun,” he said.

The financial package is the largest since Waterside wonderkid Shane Castle was signed by player management company On Q Promotions in June, 2011, at the age of 13.

Contact Quickdraw Supplies via www.quickdrawsupplies.com or ring 02380 669628.

Picture by Tim Dunkley. Steve Jones (left) and Steven Hughes

Have you got any snooker news?

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]