Year: 2020

WSS 2021 Q-School – the draws are out.

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The WSS 2021 Q-School will sart on January, 4, 2021. Four qualifying events will be played. The event has been recognised as an “Elite Sport” event and, as such is allowed to go ahead provided that all precautions and sanitary rules are followed when it comes to covid-19 prevention.

The event will be played in Reading, at the Crucible Sports and Social Club. The club is owned by Jason Francis. Practice will also be available at Jason’s club in Newbury.

The main table will be streamed on Facebook.

Here are the draws:

WSS UK Chamionship Qualifiers draw

WSS Masters draw

Super Seniors  draw

World Championship draw

As you will see there is an interesting mix in there: great players from the past, recent past and current main tour seniors players and very talented amateurs.

Unfortunately, no Asian players are able to compete this time around.

Live scores and results will be available via the WPBSA Snooker Scores system

It has been a colossal effort from Jason and the WSS team to get this on its feet. Thank you to all those who made this possible, and good luck to all players.

Some more WSS Tour news

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This was published by WPBSA today:

The ROKiT Phones World Seniors Snooker Tour has recently announced a series dates for tournaments to be held during 2021.

Following the successful staging of the World Seniors Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre last August, the tournament will return to the ‘home of snooker’ for a third successive year from 6-9 May 2021.

A 16-player field will be led by Jimmy White – who will be looking to win the event for a third successive year – with tickets to go on sale this month to Crucible members from 14 December and general sale from 21 December.

A number of places in the draw will be filled following the inaugural ROKiT World Seniors Qualifying School which is set to be held at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Reading from 4-10 January. The event is set to be the first open-entry amateur tournament held by the WPBSA since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and will be run strictly in accordance with guidelines from the DCMS and the EPSB with full COVID-19 testing protocols in place.

Also set to return is the UK Seniors Championship, last held in October 2019 prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. As in 2018 and last year, the tournament is once again set to be held at the state-of-the-art Bonus Arena in Hull and has now been expanded from two to four days covering 12-15 August 2021.

Among those already confirmed to be participating at the event are Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White, as well as previous champions Ken Doherty and last year’s winner Michael Judge. Tickets for the event will go on sale from 10am on Friday 11 December.

The Senior Irish Masters remains scheduled to take place at the iconic Goffs venue from 27-28 March, subject to government restrictions in place at the time. World Seniors Snooker will continue to monitor the event and provide further updates when possible.

Finally, the Seniors Masters event, scheduled for 15-16 May 2021 at Alexandra Palace, will now be rescheduled to Autumn 2021 with new dates to be announced in due course.

Follow the World Seniors Snooker Facebook page for the latest news and announcements from the circuit.

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The 2021 WSS UK Championship is on

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The dates and venue for the 2021 UK Championship have been confirmed

UK SENIORS SNOOKER 2021

UK Seniors Snooker 2021

Some of snooker’s greatest ever players will return to Hull in 2021 as the UK Seniors Championship will again take place at the Bonus Arena.

Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty and reigning tournament champion Michael Judge will take part in the 16-person event. It is the third year the tournament will have come to Hull, having missed 2020 due to the pandemic.

The four-day tournament will take place between 12 and 15 August 2021 and tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, 11 December.

Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Snooker, said: “Such has been the warmth from the people of Hull to our previous snooker in their city we were determined to make sure they don’t miss out in 2021. The players love the venue and we continue on our journey to making Hull a Snooker City, very much like Sheffield.”

Current World Seniors champion Jimmy White added: “Hull has always been such a great hotbed for snooker and pool, it is brilliant to have the city on the tour each season now and it is getting bigger and bigger.”

Last 16 matches will take place in sessions at 12noon and 7pm on both Thursday, 12 and Friday, 13 August 2021. Quarter final sessions take place at 12noon and 7pm on Saturday, 14 August. The semi finals take place at 12noon on Sunday, 15 August with the final at 7pm on the same day.

Single session ticket prices start from £10 each plus booking fees with full day tickets also available.

 

Some news/infos about the WSS “calendar” for the coming weeks and months

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The current Covid-19 crisis has forced everyone to change their plans, and it’s a very difficult time for all, economically, socially and psychologically.

The Seniors Tour has suffered as events needed to be posponed or canceled. There are no absolute certainties just yet about the end of this season, or about next season. There is no way a proper calendar can be established with certainty at this moment in time.

But here are some informations about WSS  tour plans at the time of writing.

This SEASON 2019/20

Jan 4th – 10th – Qualifying School, Crucible Reading

This event was supposed to be played in Jersey. Because of the travel restrictions, it became increasingly obvious that most entrants would be unable to travel to the venue. Therefore, the event will now be held in Reading and entries are re-opened.

The Q-school comprises four competitions:
2021 UK Seniors Qualification – 4 places available to qualify
2021 World Seniors Championship – 2 places available to qualify
2021 Masters Championship – 1 Place in the 2021 Masters
All matches best of 5 to semi-finals, Final matches in each event best of 7
All 8 winners will be guaranteed £1000, payable at the final stage event.
Criteria
The senior  events are open to any current amateur player over 40 on or before 4th January 2021.
The  Seniors event is open to any amateur player over 55 on or before 4th January 2021.
All players who enter will need to agree to the WPBSA code of conduct and terms and conditions of the event which will be available within the entry system. They will also need to understand the COVID procedures that will be in place. Players will be tested for Covid-19 and will be withdrawn from the events should they test positive. They may need to arrive the day before their first match.

March 27/28th – Irish Masters Goffs (tbc pending pandemic rulings by then in Ireland)

May 6-9 – World Champs Crucible

SeniorsWC2021PressRelease+ Seniors Qualifying School 2 (venue tbc)

New SEASON 2020/21

UK Championship  in Hull (12-15August, 2021)

Seniors Q School in Jersey September (dates to be confirmed)

Masters  – Alexandra Palace, London (dates to be confirmed)

 

 

Qualifying School in Jersey postponed

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Unfortunately, because of the Covid-19 situation, the Qualifying School in Jersey had to be postponed.

Here is the message that Jason Francis shared on social media, on October 13, 2020.

Dear All,
It is with great regret that given todays announcement from Jersey we have no option but to postpone the seniors qualifying school. What started out as a challenge, and a resolve to get an event on, is no longer viable with only residents of Worthing and a few remote regions in the Uk now able to arrive in Jersey without a 5 day isolation period.
The new dates will be Monday January 4th to Sunday January 10th.
Play will begin on Tuesday 5th, everyone will need to arrive by 6pm on Monday 4th in case the self-isolation rule is still in place. With today’s announcement most flights will be cancelled so move quick to get them rearranged.
The Mayfair Hotel have agreed to honour and move bookings at no cost to players, please get in touch with them, they will also honour the rate. I cannot speak for any players staying in an unofficial hotel but you should contact them as soon as you can.
For those players who have already withdrawn you now have the option to come back in, irrespective of numbers in the field if you want your place back we will make it happen but you need to get in touch.
Also if you cannot attend between 4th – 10th January then you can apply for a refund and I will issue a form for this.
However please note if you withdraw now there is no guarantee you can get back in closer to the date as I had already filled the spots of everyone who had withdrawn and we still have a waiting list.
I am hopeful things will be a bit easier after Christmas but I also accept this is not ideal for everyone, but giving up and cancelling and depriving players of a chance to play in the crucible or against a legend would be worse.
For those who were waiting for the 20th, you’re automatically transferred into the new event date and unless I hear from you that will stay the same.
Current Jersey regions for Uk attached, you can see how little green was left.
We have moved as quickly as we can,
Regards
World Seniors Snooker.

Jason and the World Seniors Team are putting in every effort to get the WSS players playing whilst making sure it’s safe for everybody involved. It’s a huge challenge and they have no control over the pandemics situation and its consequences. They can only work hard and try their best, which they certainly do.

Press cuttings … about “The Blade”

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Your very own Gary Filtness made it into the press

Hornchurch snooker star Gary Filtness believes the senior circuit will become massive

Gary Filtness
Hornchurch snooker player Gary Filtness in action (Pic: Andy Chubb/World Professional Billards and Snooker Association)

As the World Seniors Snooker Tour continues to grow both in stature and prize money Hornchurch potter Gary Filtness believes the over 40s circuit will eventually become the sport’s equivalent to golf’s US PGA Champions Tour, writes Ziad Chaudry.

Gary Filtness
Hornchurch snooker player Gary Filtness in action (Pic: Andy Chubb/World Professional Billards and Snooker Association)

The 47-year-old finally got to play at the Mecca of snooker, The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, for last week’s ROKiT Phones World Seniors Snooker Championship. The Whirlwind from south London, Jimmy White, retained his crown after coming back from four frames down to topple Ireland’s former world champion Ken Doherty 5-4.

And despite playing in front of an empty auditorium and losing to late call-up opponent Wayne Cooper 4-2 in round one on a table described as “damp and sticky”, Filtness enjoyed the pre-match atmosphere.

He had gone in to the event as the world number one due to winning two “super” seniors titles.

“The actual build-up to the competition, being behind the scenes, was very emotional,” he said.“It was everything I expected it to be, just lovely.”

But the poor table conditions and his opponent’s slow play tactics contributed to Filtness’s defeat.

“Playing in front of no crowd helped Wayne really,” he said. “He was very nervous. I wasn’t nervous at all really, I just didn’t land correctly on the balls.

“I basically outplayed him but the balls just didn’t feel kind towards me. We ended up bogging ourselves down.

“I tried to stay positive but the table just didn’t allow it. If you looked at the early round matches everyone was struggling. The only player who never struggled really after a couple of frames was Darren Morgan.”

Filtness, who works full-time as an upholsterer, along as being a snooker coach, reckons he can see top main tour players such as Ronnie O’Sullivan (a player Filtness helped during his schoolboy years), Mark Selby, John Higgins, Stuart Bingham, Mark Allen, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy all joining a lucrative big-money over 40s circuit in years to come.

“I think another five to ten years it will be massive. It will be like the seniors golf in America. I can see Ronnie O’Sullivan having a little go at it if he gets invited at the big tournaments.”

It’s nice to see the press getting interested in the WSS Tour.

That tables conditions were poor can’t be denied. This had been the case during the Main Tour World Championship as well and it the unusual circumstances didn’t help (mid-summer, emtpy arena). Personally, I don’t think that there were any “tactics” from Wayne. He was just very nervous and trying his hardest.

Stephen Hendry decision to return to pro competition illustrates why the WSS tour is important

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Jason Ferguson reckons that playing on the WSS Tour has been a big factor in Stephen Hendry decision to return to the Main Tour competition as it has helped him to rediscover his love for the game.

Here is WPBSA article:

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has welcomed the decision of World Snooker Tour to award seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry an Invitational Tour Card from the start of the 2020/21 season.

The decision follows a successful run at the recent World Seniors Snooker Championship which saw the 51-year-old defeat current tour player Nigel Bond and 2018 Seniors champion Aaron Canavan to reach the semi-finals, before losing 4-2 to old rival Jimmy White at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Despite his defeat, both those within the game and fans at home were impressed by the form of the Scot – who hit seven breaks over 50 during the tournament – and Hendry himself has said that he “really enjoyed” competing again at the tournament.

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson believes that the rekindling of Hendry’s competitive spirit at the tournament underlines the importance of the World Seniors Tour as part of the WPBSA’s Sport Development structure.

“I am delighted to see that Stephen has decided that now is the time to compete once again at the highest level of our sport,” said Ferguson. “Few players have contributed to the success of our sport as Stephen Hendry during the modern era and it is with open arms that we welcome this great champion to the World Snooker Tour once again.”

“It is also important to acknowledge the role that the World Seniors Snooker Tour, a project instigated by the WPBSA prior to its launch at the 2018 World Championship, has played in his decision. During the years following his retirement in 2012 there were few opportunities for players like him to continue playing competitively following life on the professional circuit.

“With many older professionals either having fallen off the main tour, or approaching that stage of their careers, it was vital that we provided them with another means by which they can continue to play the game they love competitively. In Stephen’s case, his enjoyment gained by returning to the baize has led to his return to the WST circuit and I have no doubt that the World Seniors Tour will continue to provide a springboard for more of our sport’s former champions to bounce back on the professional tour.”

We all wish Stephen the very best.

One-off opportunity for Super Seniors in Jersey

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Jason Francis just shared this on social media:

SUPER SENIORS!

Super Seniors
We are offering single one off entry to the Super Seniors Event in Jersey as the field was not filled from yesterdays main event entry. If you are over 55 on or before 2nd November you can come to Jersey from Thursday 5th – 8th to play in that one event. its £50 entry and the winner will get a place at the Senior Masters and is guaranteed £1000 at that event. Entries open from Noon here: follow this link

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What you need to know about the Qualifying School in Jersey

seniorsnooker Tour news

This information was shared by Jason Francis today:

ROKiT Phones World Seniors qualifying School details. Event opens Tuesday 1st September at 12 noon.

Entry Pack
Dates – Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th November 2020
Venues – Jersey Mechanics Club, & First Tower Snooker Club, Jersey

Competitions – 2021 Uk Seniors Qualification – 4 places
2021 World Seniors Championship – 2 places
2021 Masters Championship Q – 1 Place
2021 Masters Super Seniors Q – 1 Place

Format – All matches best of 5 to semi-finals, Final matches in each event best of 7

All 8 winners will be g’teed £1000, payable at the final stage event. Additional prize money may be added if third party sponsorship is secured.

Criteria Event Open to any current amateur player over 40 on or before 2nd November 2020. Super Seniors Event open to any amateur player over 55 on or before 2nd November 2020.

Dress Code Full match attire

Entry fee £400, payable with £100 non refundable deposit and £300 on or before 1st October 2020.
The event will initially be capped at 96 entries but may be extended at promoters discretion.

Entry Options Entries open at 12 noon midday GMT on Tuesday 1st September. Via this link CLICK HERE

Players are responsible for finding their own travel and accommodation, our recommended hotel is

The Mayfair Hotel, St Hellier.
Reservations: 01534 735511
Quote “Seniors Snooker”
www.themayfairjersey.com

Agreed Rates
£55 twin/double / £40 single, per room per night
Monday 2nd November for 7 nights – 2 x single rooms / standard rooms – Price: £280 per room

Events will be played across two venues, timings of matches can and may be altered at the tournament director’s discretion.

The Top 32 Amateurs are seeded from the Official End of Season Ranking List for the Uk and World Seniors Qualifying Events only.

The Masters event, as non-ranking, will have a totally random draw made on Monday 2nd November at the Launch Event and players reception in Jersey.

The first 32 players over 55 years of age on or before 2nd Nov 2020 who enter will be placed automatically into the Super Seniors Event. The top 16 on the official Super Seniors Ranking List will be placed into a seeded position. The Promoter may increase this field at their discretion.

All players who enter will need to agree to the WPBSA code of conduct and terms and conditions of the event which will be available within the entry system. They will also need to understand our COVID procedures.

Logo Players will be able to wear one logo of their choice, embargo on mobile phones, vitamins and cars.

All players will be given a covid test on arrival into Jersey at no cost to them. Should any player test positive they understand they will be removed from the event and placed into isolation.
All players understand that Jersey’s COVID Policy is constantly changing and citizens from certain countries may be refused entry should their territory be on the restricted list at their time of travel for the event. In that case entry fees would be refunded and players opponents would receive a bye if this occurred after the draw or a new opponent from a reserve entry list.

The current list of countries whose citizens will be refused entry to Jersey can be found here under the Amber and Red Status but this is changing on a regular basis.

https://www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/Travel/Pages/DeclaringTravelHistory.aspx

All players will need to complete the Pre-departure registration and declaration

This is an online registration form within 48 hours before departure – You do not complete this now!

You will be stating your personal details including but not limited to:

contact information
type of transport
travel dates
address(es) they will be staying at throughout their stay in Jersey
details of travel within the 14 days before arrival in Jersey
declaration of health including disclosure of symptoms, previous positive test results and close contact with known infected individuals
https://www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/Travel/Pages/CoronavirusTravelAdvice.aspx#anchor-3
Should more than 25% of the field be affected by the covid travel restrictions the promoter reserves the right to cancel and reschedule the event. A full refund would be given, all hotel and travel costs are booked at the players risk and WSS accepts no liability for any losses caused by cancellation of the event.

The current ranking list is available here

Regarding the rankings, the following important information has been shared by Jason on social media:

With the changes to the format of next seasons events the rankings could be in for a real shake up.
Following consultation with the Seniors Players Commission the end of season ranking list has now been adjusted to reflect the events of this season via the two qualifying school events and also the change of the Masters Event to non ranking status.
Players going into Jersey can earn up to 15 points in the Uk and 18 points in the Worlds, that is the maximum they can apply to their ranking yet the top 5 have the following to come off after Jersey. Lets look at the impact on our current top 8 players.
Michael Judge 54 points to come off
Rodney Goggins 84 points to come off
Patrick Wallace 54 points to come off
Rory Mcleod 51 points to come off
Leo Fernandez 58 points to come off
Aaron Canavan 31 points to come off.
Wayne Cooper 36 points to come off
Stuart Watson 50 points to come off
Many players on the ranking list will have more than 20 points to be removed after Jersey. It should leave a very ‘relevant’ ranking list but one that is future proof moving forward. There is no coasting for sure and every frame won in Jersey will be important.