Northern Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association 

COACHING FOUNDATION 

 

 

Joseph Bingham

National Coach

The Coaching Foundation has embarked this year on a new
initiative to help players access information and receive help on their
game.  We have been holding coaching clinics in various clubs each week throughout the season on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.  These will be held at the Fountain Snooker Club  Antrim. Further to above, visits by coaches to many of the clubs in N.I., the Coaching Foundation has set out various programmes, and these will also be communicated to all clubs who wish the Foundation's support. Where required, club coaches will be appointed.  These
coaches will be trained to N.I. Coaching Foundation  levels of ability.  Further information about any of these initiatives can be accessed by contacting Joe Bingham at 94428933 or Mobile 07989 535559.

                     
 

THE ROLE OF COACHING IN N.IRELAND

        Coaching in the past, on an official level at any rate, has been
virtually non existent, but, with the recent setting up of the N.I. Coaching
Foundation we are attempting to rectify that in the future.  Let it be known
from the start that this is an immense undertaking by NIBSA  and with only
part-time voluntary workers, it will take some time to achieve the goal of
coaching players to an international level of ability.
        However, the aim is to supply any players who want to avail
themselves of the basic techniques and knowledge of the game required to
give themselves a good chance of improving their game.  This information can
be passed to any player who wants to learn, but, improvement only comes from
practice and competition.  Therefore, a player can only improve if he has
the determination and dedication to put these things into practice.
        A case in point, from my own club, is of course Mark Allen.  From an
early age Mark showed a dedication and love of snooker, that meant he was
willing to practise for literally hours on end, 6/8 hours per day, from an
early age.  Initially he was taught the rudiments of the game by his Father,
Ronnie, then helped in the Fountain Club by various contributors, as is the
case with all the boys who come to the Fountain.  However, make no mistake,
it was Marks own determination and dedication which resulted in his success
as a Snooker player.
        The Coaches presently involved in the teaching of these skills have
all a high standard of knowledge of the game, and have gone through a
European recognised coaching course.  I myself have spent considerable time
with Terry Griffiths and have gained  invaluable knowledge through both him,
and my own experience of snooker from Belfast League days in the late 1950s
through to present day
         We welcome any comments or e-mails, constructive or not.  We will
be happy to discuss any new ideas or improvements with anyone who cares to
contact us.
          One more thing I would like to add, anyone with a general
interest, who would like to do more than look-on, there is plenty of work to
be done.  SO VOLUNTEER.

Joe Bingham