AS the weather gets colder and the evenings grow longer, people begin looking for ways to combat the winter blues.
Some take to the streets, wearing reflective jackets and hi-vis gear, pounding the pavements and pumping the pedals as they search for physical fulfillment.
Others embark upon a period of hibernation, covering themselves with blankets, slankets, snuggies and onesies, existing solely on Pringles and Quality Street, only emerging in spring, bleary-eyed and five stone heavier.
But there is an alternative, there is a middle-ground, there is a sport that will get you out of the house without exposing you to the elements.
On Sunday, November 27, St John’s Snooker Club will hold an open day. The emphasis will be on promoting the club, recruiting new members and reminding the people of Limerick that the game still exists.
Snooker is dying out in Limerick. St John’s haven’t had a junior representative in six years, and of its approximately 50 members not one is under the age of 25.
Former international player and qualified snooker coach, Kevin McMahon, is organising the open day: “We’re passionate about snooker and if we don’t do something soon it is going to die out. So we want to see if we can encourage young lads to come in and play.”
Kevin’s focus is on attracting youngsters between the ages of 12 to 18, boys and girls, and, to that end, he is launching the brand-new St John’s Snooker Academy to coincide with the open day.
The academy will offer a structured, organised and safe environment for young snooker players to practise the game. Coaching sessions will be provided by qualified and vetted coaches with plans tailored to suit each individual’s needs. In addition, those registering will get access to the Junior Development National Programme and Republic of Ireland Billiard & Snooker Association (RIBSA) National Junior Events.
And the best thing is that it all comes at a relatively cheap price.
“It’s very inexpensive,” says Kevin. “There’s a a charge of €25 to join for the year, and a €25 sub. So for new members, junior members, it’ll be €50. That’s the cheapest, most inexpensive snooker, in the country. We’re non-commercial, non-profit, we just want to keep the society going.”
For that modest investment, new members will get unlimited access to the club’s three tables from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays and from 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday. But rather than simply open the doors and let the biggest, bravest lads take precedence, the club ensures that every child gets their turn.
“We’ve a roll-on, roll-off system, so once one pair finishes, the next two go on, we’ve worked like that for years we’ve never had a problem.”
The hall will be fully supervised, with a caretaker in place at all times.
“It’ll be strict,” says Kevin. “On our open day we’ll explain to people about the membership criteria. We’ve got house rules, if there any incidents or anything like that people are brought before a committee.”
But the emphasis will always be on fun, on enjoying the game. And, according to Kevin, snooker is a game that instills certain values in those who play it: “It teaches patience, it teaches temperament, it even teaches mathematics,” he says with a smile.
However, in spite of his own enthusiasm for the game, Kevin is acutely aware that snooker is not the draw it once was.
“It had its peak in the eighties; this hall here used to be full, you couldn’t get in the door to watch the Christmas handicap final. But I don’t think the snooker bodies did enough to maintain it.”
Without a World Champion since 1997, Kevin believes that the lack of prominent Irish players has impacted negatively across all levels. Nonetheless, he defies anyone to watch the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan or Judd Trump and “not get excited”.
“I know young lads around the country who get the bug, they get on that table and they like the sound of potting the ball; there’s nothing like it. If we can get that, it’d be great.”
In an effort to nurture this kind of excitement for the game, there will be a series of special exhibitions taking place during the open day. Mark Tuite, a member of St John’s and a European Snooker Champion, will showcase his skills and he will be joined by fellow pros Frank Sarsfield and John Torpey, both of whom have represented Ireland at international level.
Also, in a throwback to the days of Jim Davidson and Big Break, there will be competitions involving potting six reds in the fastest time possible and other, similarly offbeat, challenges.
As a further testament to Kevin and his fellow committee member’s love of the game, the new Academy will be entirely self-funded. St John’s receives no external grants and relies solely on the income generated from its bingo hall and other facilities to exist.
“Generally we fund ourselves,” confirms Kevin, “it’s a community thing.”
And in keeping with this community spirit, Kevin’s ambitions for the club remain modest. “We’re not about champions, or trying to produce new players. It would be fantastic if we got someone like that, but we really want to get the participation up. We want to grow the numbers, we’d love to develop it and put it another two tables.”
The open day runs from 2pm to 5pm at St Johns CWMS on Upper William Street in the city centre. All are welcome and there will be light refreshments.
For more details contact Kevin McMahon on 061 416349 or at kevin_mcmahon@live.com
