Sponsorship for nine-year-old Harry The Potter
A SNOOKER-loopy boy from Ferndown has signed his first sponsorship deal – at the age of nine.
Harry ‘The Potter’ Wyatt’s green-baize career has been given a major boost by Dorset-based underfloor heating specialist UFHN Ltd.
The talented youngster has already earned a place in the record books of a regional snooker circuit that covers central southern England.
In Swindon, last November, a month before his ninth birthday, Wyatt became the youngest tournament winner in the nine-year history of the Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour.
And now he has retained his Eastleigh & District Under-13 Premier title at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.
Wyatt, whose highest competitive break is 31, reckons the finance will allow him to enter more tournaments.
He said: “It’s fantastic to have a sponsor.
“Now I’ll be able to go to more competitions.”
Wyatt’s dad, Chris, a design manager, has worked for the Ferndown firm for more than ten years.
He said: “I’m so pleased UFHN are supporting Harry with his snooker.
“He has worked so hard. And to get sponsorship from an established local company at such a young age is a huge step for him.
“I really appreciate the support from my friends and colleagues at UFHN.”
Wyatt’s World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley is delighted with the youngster’s progress and believes there is more to come providing he can get his head down and work harder in practice.
Dunkley said: “Harry’s ability to lift his game when faced with a challenge is legendary.
“But I want him to bed in a solid and repeatable technique on the practice table that will carry him through all his matches – not just the glamourous ones.”
UFHN’s managing director Paul Lines said: “We’re delighted to be able to follow and support Harry.
“We’re always keen to hear his progress from Chris and feel it’s important to encourage local talent at grass roots level.
“Our sponsorship will go towards tournament entry fees, coaching, travel and accommodation and will help to provide Harry with every opportunity to continue to improve and develop his skills so he can compete alongside some of the best young players in the country.”
In fact, the whole of the Wyatt family are snooker mad. Chris has just passed the English Association of Snooker & Billiards refereeing exam. Mum Lucinda competes in the ladies league at Chandlers Ford SC. And Harry’s six-year-old sister Abigail is a regular in the club’s Saturday morning under-13 league.
Picture by Tim Dunkley
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)