About
Passionate, enthusiastic and determined, are some of the words that Andy and Don can describe themselves about the sport of snooker.
PROFILES
Andy
During his downtime away from the busy live Sky Sports News environment as a "Graphic Designer", Andy still plays snooker regularly at an amateur level via the many tournaments organised through the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards(EPSB) events, which are held throughout the snooker season. Andy's best performance being an area finalist for the Rothmans UK Snooker Championship.... many moons ago!! And now you can see him play on the World Super Seniors stage.
Andy loves coaching players of all ages, guiding them from grassroots to professional levels with techniques, practice routines, and a focus on mindset. Helping players develop both skill and mental strength is his true passion.
He qualified as a EASB snooker coach in 1998 for a period of six years. Within that time, he coached individuals at numerous venues to gain experience and coach a variety of people, young and old.
In 2009, Andy was one of six candidates to qualify for the EASB Coaching Assessors Day with Mark Hird and Dell Hill. Once complete, they would have the tools and expertise to assess new coaches. It was full of impact and great to see that the EASB were establishing themselves and looking ahead to the future of the game. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this did not get established and so the scheme folded.
In 2018, and after a brief pause in his snooker coaching progression due to family and work commitments. Andy qualified as a WPBSA snooker coach level 1
A few years later during COVID, he finally completed his assessment for 1st4sport Level 2 qualification this has now given Andy the tools of how to safely plan, deliver, review, and improve the performance of both novice, intermediate and professional snooker players.
Moving forward and always wanting to progress, the next step is to start and complete his Level 3 - watch this space!
Andy is based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire but originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, which means, you get an authenticated Yorkshire welcome and friendly coaching sessions!
Don
Don was a professional snooker player in the 91-92 seasons, where he played against top players like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark King, John Higgins & Peter Ebdon. He also used to practice with Kirk Stevens on a daily basis.
Don enjoys showing and teaching people how to play the wonderful game of snooker and this is why he as decided to go for his coaching qualification level 1, and more importantly share his knowledge of the game with everyone who loves snooker and enjoys playing.
In Don's playing days he managed to achieve 3x 147 breaks and quite a few hundred breaks and back-to-back centuries and treble centuries also.
Moving forward for my next development I will be looking to achieve my level 2 qualification as soon as possible.
Don is based in Potters Bar and services areas around London and Hertfordshire and his Jamaican roots
shines through his personality - Top Bloke is Don.
Both Andy and Don coach "one to ones" and "group sessions" & both will travel to your venue or home.
SNOOKER COACHING VENUES:
OUR MAIN VENUES
FRANK'S POOL &
SNOOKER HATFIELD
Frank's Pool and Snooker Club, Hatfield.
74-78 Hatfield Town Centre Hatfield AL10 0JW
Franks have 18 competition standard Supreme Winner and Blackball pool tables and 4 snooker tables.
Home to Hertfordshire EPA POOL
Please check their website for great membership deals
WHETSTONE
SNOOKER CLUB LONDON
Whetstone Snooker Club
1314 High Rd, London, N20 9HJ
Whetstone is a great London Snooker Hub
Full of talented century breaker
snooker players
Please check their Facebook page
for more information: https://www.facebook.com/whetstone.snookerclub.1
OTHER VENUES WE HAVE COACHED AT
ABC SNOOKER CLUB
LETCHWORTH
ABC Snooker Club, Letchworth Garden City
24 Leys Ave, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW
An established Snooker Club right in the heart of Letchworth Garden City
Please check their Facebook page
SIX HILLS BREWERY
STEVENAGE
STOTFOLD CON CLUB
STOTFOLD
Stotfold Conservative Club
93 Regent Street
Occasionally, Andy coaches here
AS WITH ALL SNOOKER VENUES YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN ANY OF THE ABOVE FOR GREAT MEMBERSHIP DEALS AND IN SOME VENUES TABLE/FOOD AND DRINK DISCOUNTS!
One thing to add, which may help some of you. Andy has worked in the Media Broadcasting industry for the last 30 years and has vast experience within the field of "LIVE" broadcasting and once had a stint (9 months) at presenting as a children's presenter in South Africa.
So, if your a professional and suffer from the lime light or just an amateur player, I can help with your pressures that go with playing snooker.
ARE YOU THE NEXT RONNIE or REANNE EVANS?
Please don't hesitate to contact Andy & Don for future coaching.
Achieve your dreams
ONE TO ONE COACHING
Individual or one to one coaching is the most effective way to give and receive technical coaching in snooker.
Andy & Don's attention to detail and enthusiastic approach to the techniques and aspects of the game will leave you wanting to learn more.
GROUP COACHING
Group coaching is slightly different, although you will still get Andy and Don's attention to detail but, they will throw in some FUN elements too. Making sure that your focus is undivided.
TASTER SESSIONS
If you prefer a snooker coaching "Taster Session", then we can focus more on the FUN element of snooker coaching and tailor the session to your requirements and needs.
This is a combined Assessment/Snooker Session of 1hour.
JUNIOR COACHING
Being WBPSA snooker coaches, Andy & Don are committed to creating opportunities for children and young adults to pick up a cue and play snooker.
Junior coaching is available for children between the ages of 7-17
Just ask for Details of venues and times
Services
Andy and Don offer a variety of snooker coaching services to help you move forward in your individual snooker journey. They will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses within your game and take you to the next level!
Whether you are just a beginner or a frustrated amatuer, Andy and Don are here to help YOU.
Each coaching session will be tailored to the individual needs, requirements and capabilities.
Snooker Coaching Services including Tips, Technique, Form, Technical Advice, Snooker Training, Snooker Mental Game.
See below for more of an in-depth approach to some of fundamentals and techniques of snooker:
What will you learn?
Sight Alignment
The Grip
The Stance
Break Building
Shot Selection
Rules and Etiquette of the game
WPBSA Red - Black coaching scheme
Mental Game!!!
And much, much more!!!
TECHNIQUES THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR GAME
Price and Session details
1hr Sessions are per individual @ £40 or @ £30 per person per group (min 4 people)
Table light costs at all snooker venues will occur albeit at some at a discounted rate.
This assessment is fundamental to assess the ability and standard of the student
The first session always involves an assessment of about 30/40 mins just to see what ability the client is at with his or her snooker journey. Then we work briefly on objectives set by the assessment until our time is up. We would then suggest afterwards a "Full Session" as below to start your individual coaching journey or this could be booked for the following week.
All sessions are split in to 3x 20mins mini sessions:
1st 20mins - Work on SMART objectives from previous assessment/ session
*Video Analysis if required, so you can Identify areas to work on and great for you to look at
2nd 20mins - Fun and Practical/WPBSA approved Grading Red-Black Certificates. If time doesn’t allow for completing each grade then this rolls over to the next session.
3rd 20mins - Practise routines
Practice routines and working together for the next objectives for the next session.
Initial Assessment/Taster session - 1hr - @£30
Full Session - 1hr - @£40
Websites and Links
All things Snooker related from Cues, Cases, Accessories to building your own snooker room, every snooker players dream. Mine one day so watch this space!
CUES
CUES & CASES
CUSTOM MADE TO YOUR SPECS
FOR ALL YOUR CUE SPORTS NEEDS
CUSTOM MADE TO YOUR SPECS
FROM CHINA BUT, QUICKLY DELIVERY
Treat someone special with a GIFT CERTIFICATE. Just ask for details
TESTIMONIALS
Feedback - Please email thesnookerclinic147@hotmail.com and i will add your name to the list
Just a quick message to say thanks for the snooker lessons. In the lessons me and Gav have had we both feel we have improved in different areas of our games and now understand the finer points of more technical aspects such as screw, stun, and side which were previously a bit of a mystery.
We also really liked your relaxed, friendly teaching style and we feel we could make really good use of your expertise. I would definitely recommend your coaching school to anyone looking to improve their game in any aspect and hope to get more lessons next year to up my game again.
David Mitchell / Gaving Bunker - Hertfordshire
I started playing snooker again after several years away from the table, but was not able to play to my previous standard. So I got in touch with Andy to see if he could help. The first coaching session with him, involving video recording and play back, identified a number of problems with my cueing technique and introduced corrective measures to rectify this.
The second session aimed at adopting my improved technique through practice and potting exercises. I feel a more confident now about my game and look forward to enjoying snooker again.
Andrew - Stevenage
I have recently got back in to snooker and previously I could NOT pot a ball!!! I decided I would get some professional help. I contacted Andy to arrange some coaching lessons. The venue was at Stotfold Conservative Club, Hertfordshire which is a great venue.
Andy is a gentleman and very knowledgeble about the game. He's very easy to talk to and I'm sure if I was left to do this by myself A) It would have took many hours and B) A lot of money and frustration would of been spent.
Great value for money and I can;t wait until I get to play again. Thanks alot mate it was a great lesson. Looking forward to another session soon.
Luke Goodman - Hertfordshire
I had a great session with Don last night, really nice guy and very helpful. Its always amazing to me to watch an actual decent player in action too, it seems so naturally! Clearly, this is going to take time, but small steps in the right direction
Matt - Hertfordshire
Thanks Andy, I really enjoyed our session. Loads to think about and work on, but I definitely feel that you both nailed the areas I need to improve on. Thanks again for taking the time, and please pass my thanks onto Don as well. I'm sure I'll be in touch again.
Rob, Suffolk