Turn Pro for a Tenner

[NS Admin]

TURN PRO FOR A TENNER

English Association of Snooker and Billiards (EASB) are offering a helping hand to aspiring snooker professionals unable to afford the £1000 entry fee required by the new Q School that is replacing PIOS next season.

The three stage event can be entered by EASB members for as little as £10 and allows multiple entries by individuals to maximise their chances of qualifying through to gain one of the Q School places on offer.

EASB will pay for one entry to the Q School for every £2500 collected in entry fees.

Stage 1:   best of 5 frame knock-out:      entry fee £10
Stage 2:   best of 7 frame knock-out:      entry fee £40
Stage 3:   best of 9 frame knock-out:      entry fee £100

At each stage players will be able to enter up to three times each at the appropriate entry fee. This may produce a situation where they are drawn against themselves – but at least they'd be sure of a win and maybe some prize money !!

Stage 1 and 2 will be played in North, Midlands and South zones and Stage 3 will be played in North and South zones.

In Stage 1 the K/O will be played down to the last 32 round. Winners will automatically qualify for Stage 2 and the losing 16 players will receive prize money.

In addition to the qualifiers, Stage 2 will be open to new entries at an increased fee. Any EASB member can enter at this stage, regardless of whether they entered Stage 1 or not. The K/O will be played down to the last 16 round. Winners will automatically qualify for Stage 3 and the losing 8 players will receive prize money.

The qualifiers and additional entries will contest Stage 3. The number of subsidized places available for the Q School is dependant upon entries but EASB anticipate substantial interest and hope to be able to fund at least 6 - 8 places. Players will receive prize money if they lose in the final round, and should any player qualify more than once, they will not only recieve the £1000 entry fee, but also an additional £1000 in prize money.

For further information please contact John Hartley on 0808 129 40 40 or by email at j.hartley@englishsnooker.com