The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) is delighted to announce that the 1980 World Snooker Champion Cliff Thorburn has joined its International Expert Coaching Advisory Panel.
Led by WPBSA Head of Coaching and Training Development Chris Lovell, the panel also includes Wayne Griffiths, Head Coach of the Hong Kong Sports Institute for over a decade, and European Billiards and Snooker Association Head Coach PJ Nolan. Both Wayne and PJ are experienced and respected WPBSA Snooker Coaches with experience of coaching internationally.
The membership of the Panel will continue to evolve with the appointment of further officially qualified coaches from around the world, who will endeavour to support the ethics and vision of the group to underpin the growth of the sport.
The strategic vision of the panel includes to:
- Promote a collaborative approach for coaching using the WPBSA’s Coaching Partnership Scheme and highlighting the WPBSA Coaching Programme.
- Promote the opportunity for every official national federation in the world to have the opportunity to join the WPBSA’s online accredited coaching course scheme which includes the Safeguarding and Protecting Children course certified by UK Coaching and the NSPCC
- Where necessary, to discuss and investigate all technical aspects of the sport with view to updating technical aspects in line with their proven success and the sports requirements.
- Support the development of a unified accredited Continuous Development Programme (CPD) for snooker coaches worldwide linked to the WPBSA’s Coach Locator.
- To act as a sounding board for the WPBSA on all coaching related issues and plans
Cliff Thorburn CM said: “It is with honour that I accept my appointment to the World Professional Billiard and Snooker Association International Expert Coaching Advisory Panel.
“I have learned as a 49-year member of the WPBSA that one never stops learning. It has been my privileged experience to have spoken to, played against or watched every player who has won the World Championship since 1927 with the exception of Walter Donaldson. These opportunities have allowed me to realise through my observations especially in the last few decades, that there are many different ways to play the game successfully.
“I realise that the game has moved with the times and the influence of social media such as videos, up to date equipment and coaching strategies have been impacted by the growth and development of the sport worldwide.
“I look forward to being an active member of the Coaching Advisory Panel and helping to contribute to the continued success of our sport.”
Chris Lovell said: “It is an honour to have someone of Cliff’s status joining the panel offering his wealth of knowledge together with his passion and enthusiasm for our global sport. As snooker continues to grow around the world – even in the current worldwide circumstances – coaching remains fundamental to any progressive and successful sport.
“This Panel will continue to help us to bring together some of the world’s leading figures in snooker coaching and the visionary expertise they possess will enable us to be at the forefront of the growth of our sport as we move forward in 2022.”
Learn more about the WPBSA Coaching Programme.