It’s all Academic for Eastleigh
THE Academy in Eastleigh is tantalisingly close to clinching a first Cuestars ranking title.
However, Cliff Goodchild, who runs the junior section with fellow snooker-dad Colin Henley, is not prepared to compromise his principles to gain success on the tables.
“If there’s a mega-super snooker player with bad manners and no respect – I don’t want them in the club,” he declared.
The Academy section organisers, Colin Henley and Cliff Goodchild
And that, perhaps, explains why The Academy’s youngsters are enjoying a best ever season on the tour.
Astonishingly, four of the seven Under-15 events this season have been claimed by Eastleigh.
Matt Geer (ranked third) won in Cardiff, Lee Bell (fourth) in Bournemouth, Rob Henley (seventh) in Gosport and Liam Burnet (eighth) in Gloucester.
Lads from the club have amassed more points this season than any other bar the mighty Swindon Jesters.
And in the Team Challenge, Eastleigh A are second and the B side fourth.
Lee Roling is fourth in the Under-21 Open while Ben Tanner is two points behind. Tanner is also joint seventh in the Under-21 Premier Series. James Thomas is ninth in the Under-12s.
Goodchild said: “They’ve put the time in and they’re getting the rewards.
“You can only give the lads the tools to play with. If the player wants to learn and you’ve got the parents’ support – that’s one of the secrets.
“Colin’s very laid back and quiet, I’m more outspoken. You learn from each other.”
And the 46-year-old revealed the section has a code of conduct.
“I hate bad behaviour,” he said. “We’ve thrown kids out for weeks but we try and keep the door open for them.
“I still feel snooker is a gentleman’s game and behaviour is an important thing – it’s not just potting balls. What they don’t realise is tables cost money.
“Cuestars is a good stepping stone for players to come through.
“It’s a lovely sport. It’s very skillful. It’s probably one of the hardest games to play. How some of the lads control the cue-ball is fantastic.”
Opened in 1983, the club was the first of owner Tim Swain’s chain of four academies. Swain, who also has branches in Basingstoke and Boscombe, recently re-opened the 147 Club in Southampton.
Bar billiards is soon to be introduced into the eight-table club alongside the existing pool, darts and table football.
Goodchild, who has a top break of 30, and Henley, a top break of 55, run the Saturday morning Cuestars Section. And at least one of them travels to every Cuestars competition.
The club takes nothing from the weekly subscriptions. All monies are ploughed back into petrol, team entries and in-house trophies.
Henley, 53, who takes an extra hour’s coaching on Saturdays, was originally at the Castle Club before it shut in June, 2007.
He arrived in Eastleigh, via Q World, with son Rob, Bell and Bradley Hatch.
Goodchild, dad of Adam, has run the section for seven years – originally with John Peatroy.
Sunday competitions are run by Stu Barter.
Henley, who would like to see more girls take part, said: “They’re winning trophies and that boosts the confidence.
“Everyone knows of Eastleigh now at Cuestars events.”
Pictures by Kevin Legg