On September 25th 2004, the West of England Billiards and Snooker Foundation was born. An official launch day was held at the Victoria Snooker Centre in Plymouth, hosted by WEBSF Patron and six-time world professional snooker champion Ray ReardonMBE.
A not-for-profit community group run by a small band of passionate and dedicated volunteers, the Foundation had a vision to encourage participation in grassroots billiards and snooker, providing opportunities into these wonderful sports for all, regardless of age, ability or location within the West of England.
Despite difficult economic times and trying logistical issues, these goals throughout the past 15 years have been achieved. Maintaining a sustainable model, the organisation is stronger today than it has ever been, as it continues to help those who may otherwise have been unable to realise and develop their potential within the sports.
Coaching, competitions, community. Let’s look back at some of the images from the last 15 years…..
WESBF Patron and six-time world professional snooker champion Ray Reardon MBE hosted the launch day in September 2004 at the Victoria Snooker Centre in Plymouth.
The WEBSF have provided countless community and group coaching sessions in safe venues and environments across the West of England. Priding themselves to facilitate personal improvement through coaching, their unique, bespoke certified assessment scheme allows students to track and evaluate their progress.Structured, tailor-made one-to-one coaching (and ecoaching) sessions have also been in demand. These too have remained accessible and affordable for all.The foundation has already held over 200 tournaments, catering for players of all levels and ages, many of whom were making their first steps into tournament action. The flagship Gold Series has remained a constant throughout the 15 years – featuring several former and future professional players. In total, over 9,500 matches and 55,000 frames have been completed so far. This season, 100% of all entry fees will be awarded out straight away as prize money – nearly £60,000 has been paid out to date since 2004. The WEBSF has helped over 750 different cueists find their competitive edge.In more recent times the invitational Gold Masters Championship has been held for the best performing players from that season’s Gold Series.The WEBSF Ladies Open has been a permanent annual fixture on the tournament calendar, and there is an exciting rebranding of the event on the horizon!Serious about the three-ball sport too, two tournaments per year are hosted – the English Billiards Open and the West of England English Billiards OpenOne of the WEBSF’s most publicised successes has been the rise of established professional player Sam Baird; a two-time World Championship Crucible qualifier. The Silver and Gold Series’ helped aid Baird’s snooker education and development. A platform for gaining new skills, the WEBSF continues to create volunteer opportunities and pathways for a wide range of roles – no experience is necessary and no barriers to personal development can’t be overcome! Passion and volunteering have always been the heartbeat of the Foundation.
The West of England Billiards and Snooker Foundation – Billiards and Snooker for all. Here’s to the next 15 years and beyond!
A great day for those that attended the FREE Coaching event at The Galaxy Centre, Torquay. If you missed it we might just do it again next year. Select Free Coaching Day to find out more.
Bronze Snooker Open Winner – Connor Benzey with Tournament Sponsor 2017-18
Connor Benzey played solid snooker all day on his way to lifting the 2017 WEBSF Bronze Snooker Open title.
To make a complete day of Billiards & Snooker the WEBSF held Coaching Workshops where WEBSF Coaches and special guests; ex-Professional, Manager & Coach Hassan Vaizie and Snooker Professional Sam Baird gave masterclasses in break building and coaching clinics.
WEBSF 