The North East has a proud history of successful Snooker and Billiards players, and is currently home to Mike Dunn, one of Snooker's Main Tour professionals, and also some of the best Billiards professionals that the World has ever seen.
For juniors, the Teesside Boys Billiards League has ran since 1973, although this predominantly features clubs in the Middlesbrough and Stockton areas, so there has been little chance over the years for the junior players in Hartlepool to attempt to make a living out of Snooker. This changed for the 2006/07 season however, as the Academy entered a team in the league for the first time.
The Junior Coaching section at Hartlepool Snooker Centre aims to give players under the age of 18 the best chance possible in making it as a successful Junior player, and travel and accommodation to National tournaments is arranged on the players behalf. Without the experience of competing as a junior, then it is virtually impossible to make a success of the game as an adult, as so many players from other parts of the country will have a head start.
The main objectives of the Coaching scheme are as follows:
In order to prove that the coaching scheme is successful, each player spends the first month of coaching getting to know their peers, before beginning a Basic Cue Sports Programme developed and ran by John Hartley. On successful completion of this programme, the players are then considered for entry into tournaments, and will attempt the World Snooker Red to Black Ball Certificate scheme.
From Summer 2006, a specially developed one day coaching course was made available. This covers the more advanced side of Snooker and Billiards, and costs £25. Bookings can be made through John Hartley.