The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), through its umbrella organisation the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (EPSB) has announced exciting new changes to its accredited snooker coaching programme.

The world governing body for snooker and billiards, through its umbrella organization the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (EPSB), has teamed up with 1st4sport Qualifications, a nationally recognised awarding organisation, to launch the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Snooker Coaching.

New Partnership

1st4sport Qualifications have partnered with a significant number of sporting national governing bodies to develop coaching pathways, including football, cricket, gymnastics, tennis and rugby union. At present, over 50,000 individual coaching certificates are awarded by the body each year.

“This is an exciting time for both 1st4sport Qualifications and the WPBSA,” said Paul Thornton, Business Development Manager at 1st4sport Qualifications. “A regulated coaching qualification, which embraces the Sports Coach UK structure in terms of content and assessment will help raise standards amongst both current and future snooker coaches. Further, it will help further legitimise the sport of snooker in the eyes of participants, coaches and larger organisations, such as Sport England.“

The 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Snooker Coaching will require each aspiring coach to complete an in-depth learning programme and be assessed on their knowledge of the principles of coaching and the delivery of a series of snooker coaching sessions. This format is typical of the coaching qualifications delivered across all sports working with 1st4sport Qualifications.

“Assessment has been tailored to meet the particular needs of the sport,” added Thornton. “Each sport is unique and we feel strongly that each assessment offer should reflect this. It is a fit-for-purpose process and one fully supported by the WPBSA.”

The course has been developed in partnership with 1st4sport Qualifications using feedback from existing coaches in respect of the requirements of the sport by Chris Lovell, coaching consultant to the WPBSA, and delivered by six-time world champion Steve Davis and fellow coach Andrew Highfield.

“The new course reflects what the sport needs to support the exciting growth of the game at all levels, as we continue to move forward in a new era within which children growing up will aspire to follow in the footsteps of their snooker heroes by becoming professional players.” said Lovell.

Course Structure

The new Level 2 course sees participants begin by receiving four days of teaching, before progressing to use and develop their coaching skills with two players of a novice and intermediate level in a practical environment. When ready aspiring coaches can book a place on one of four yearly assessment days, comprising of an observed lesson by a qualified assessor and the assessment and verification of their portfolio of evidence, which if successful will lead to certification.

Included within the course are three hours of child protection and safeguarding training, delivered under NSPCC guidelines by WPBSA World Snooker Coach Chris Motley, including an enhanced DBS check.

2017 -2018 Course Dates

Download the new application form.

For more information visit www.wpbsa.com/coaching