As the UKPTC2 event comes to a conclusion in Gloucester today, big news from the South West Snooker Academy as the venue has today announced that it no longer wishes to stage professional ranking tournaments beyond this season. Click below for the full statement from Paul Mount…
When we opened the South West Snooker Academy, just over two years ago, we had ambitions to work with as many organisations as possible to help develop the sport of snooker at all levels
One of our aims was to provide promoters and external organisations the opportunity to host events within a purpose-built facility, finished and equipped to the highest possible standards, ensuring high quality and enjoyable tournaments. We are convinced, by the majority of the feedback that we have received, that we have achieved this goal and now it is important we make the right decisions to ensure the SWSA is used appropriately to achieve the maximum benefits for snooker.
It has become apparent that for some events this season our facilities are not being utilised to their full potential and we are no longer prepared to host mediocre tournaments, due to decisions made by external promoters, when the possibility of top class tournaments is achievable.
We pride ourselves on working in a professional manner and believe that integrity, trust and honesty are vital to any working relationship. Over the past couple of years, we have found ourselves in positions where our trust has been broken, at times resulting in the complete breakdown of relationships. When this has occurred, we have had no option but to end those relationships to ensure we are only working with people and organisations that we have 100% faith in.
Bearing all of this in mind, we are today announcing that we no longer wish to hold professional ranking tournaments at the South West Snooker Academy, but will now concentrate on developing grass roots snooker, holding high quality amateur events and providing coaching to students from within and outside the UK. We will honour our current contract with World Snooker and host the remaining PTC events for this season as contracted. PTC4 will therefore be our last professional tournament.
It is with disappointment that we feel the need to make this decision as we have always made it known that we wanted to work with as many people and organisations as possible to help grow the sport for the good of it’s long term future. We have always worked hard to assist where possible, with the greatest of intentions, however we feel that we have not always been afforded the same level of respect and courtesy and we are no longer prepared to accept the way in which we are and have been treated.
We will now return our attentions to grass roots snooker and ways in which we can help develop the sport and participation levels amongst young players both in the UK and internationally. We are looking forward to working more closely with nations that we have already built a strong bond with and making bonds with new countries too. We are looking to work with people and organisations who represent and strive for the same level of excellence as we do at the South West Snooker Academy.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has supported us during our professional events over the past couple of years including the players, officials, media guests, bloggers, academy staff and everyone who has come to watch our events. We are sorry to those who may be disappointed by this decision.
Paul Mount – Chairman