The Seniors Q-school 2 started earlier today. Four players will have the opportunity to play at the Crucible  come May 2021.

Ahead of the event, Jason Francis wrote this “Open Letter” and shared it on social media.

An Open letter to all ROKiT World Seniors Tour Players…

As we sit on the eve of another ROKiT World Seniors Snooker Event I want to remind you all how far we’ve come and how you have all played a part in that journey.

Four years ago our sport did not have a Seniors Tour, by next Sunday four more players will be in receipt of a cue sports life changing opportunity. To play Snooker at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield is a privilege reserved only for those who have excelled in our sport, to play in the single table set up is something even more unique.

What everyone has built in such a short time is staggering, a global tour with over 300 registered players, a new earning opportunity for WPBSA Tour professionals over 40, a vehicle to provide a platform to remember, honour and enjoy the legends of our sport.

The opportunity for any player over 40 years of age, of any gender or ability, to put on a waistcoat, pick up their cue and dare to dream had never existed.

The harder the mountain is to climb the more rewarding it is when you reach its summit. We strive to improve, we attempt to inspire and we don’t ever apologise for doing either of those things.

We are Seniors, We Dare to Dream, We are here to stay. #WeAreSeniors

Lets hit some balls,

Jason Francis, Chairman ROKiT World Seniors Snooker Tour.

Jason was also happy to share the news that all covid tests so far had come out negative.

The event is underway and you can follow it here

This was announced on social media by Jason Francis yesterday:

The ROKiT World Seniors Snooker Tour today announces two more opportunities for their tour players at Qualifying School next week in Reading.

The World Seniors Championship field has always been made up from legends of the sport, our former champions and qualifiers from open events staged for any player of any ability or gender over 40 years of age. There has also been rewards for continental champions from our World Snooker Federation regions.

With the continuing challenges of COVID-19, and in particular international travel, plus the fact many of our partners have not staged their Championships this season, it has been decided that four players, not two will progress from Qualifying School next week and take their place at the Crucible Theatre in May.

That event, which will be broadcast once again by the BBC, will play from the 6th – 9th May with Jimmy White defending champion. Thanks to an agreement with the World Snooker Tour lower ranked WPBSA tour players over 40 have also had the chance this season to receive invitations or qualification from the events.

Group stages at Qualifying School will be played from Monday 29th to Saturday 3rd April, two players each day will qualify to the finals day on Sunday 4th. In a change from the original format those 12 qualifiers will be drawn into 4 random groups of 3 with a round robin best of 7 providing four group winners. The final days play will be streamed live on the World Seniors Facebook Page.

The 2021 World Seniors Snooker Champion will take their place on the Champion of Champions Qualification list.

This is great news for all the players involved

Unfortunately, there is this as well

It’s a shame, and frankly I don’t understand WST stand on this in this particular case. Surely those two events are not in competition? I know it’s the rule, and I know some tour players might are in it, but certainly none of those invited in the CLS. A bit of flexibility wouldn’t hurt IMO.

Two more spots at the Crucible are for the grabs for those who entered the Seniors Q-School 2.

The draw was made on Facebook …

As he proceed to the draw, Jason Francis discusses a number of things. Amongst other news, he reveals that the 2021 Seniors World Championship will be shown on BBC.