Theresa Whitten Q&A

During the Australian Women’s Snooker Open earlier this season we were pleased to catch up with three-time New South Wales State Women’s Championship winner and current world number 79 Theresa Whitten to learn more about her life in snooker so far.

Appearing in her third WWS tournament, Whitten reached the knockout rounds for the first time, eventually losing out 3-1 to Thailand’s Narucha Phoemphul.

Hi Theresa, how has your experience been this year at the Australian Women’s Open?

I’ve enjoyed the weekend very much thank you. My last one was two years ago at this same event. I came fourth in my group which meant I still qualified and then I played the last 16 match against the young Thai girl [Narucha Phoemphul]

How did you first become interested in snooker?

I used to play quite a lot of other sports when I was young and because of an injury, my netball coach’s husband who played snooker in Tasmania – John Hanson – encouraged me to play snooker. I was fortunate enough to have a bit of coaching from Ron Atkins in his snooker room back in Tasmania. I was 17 at the time, well over 40 years ago now.

I played for a few years and then I went to college. I didn’t play for a while until my late 20s when I played for a few years when I moved to Canberra for work. I then met and fell in love with another snooker player Gary Cullen, who lived in Melbourne. I moved there and played regularly for about ten years.  He sadly passed away after and then I gave up playing for nearly 20 years.

I recently returned to the sport in 2014 when I was 50 and have now been playing regularly for just over 10 years now.

Do you have any role models within the sport?

I really liked Stephen Hendry, he was a favourite of mine years and years ago. Loved the Sweater Shop too!  So much so, that when I went to England to play in the World Pool in 1997, I had to get my daughter and myself a sweater each.

My first State Championship that I won I was really inspired by Steve Davis when he made his first televised 147. I watched that 147 break just before. It really inspired me!

A claim to fame is that when I was living in Tasmania, we had the 1980 World Amateur Championships and I led out Wales, with Steve Newbury and another player I can’t remember who, was really cool. I was 17 then!

I also like to check out a lot of different shots by various players on different Facebook groups, I really enjoy it.

How important is it for Australia to have a world ranking event like this?

I think it promotes the sport better having a world slant to it. It also helps us to be more recognised, especially by the male players. It’s also important that quality women players overseas visit to test us here too.

I was fortunate to play Ng On Yee, it was my first-round robin match on Saturday and even though I lost, I felt comfortable. Then today I played Narucha and I really enjoyed the game, it was great. I find that she has a great technique and I think she has a really great future.

Who are your biggest friends on the circuit?

I get on very well with Jessica [Woods] and Carlie [Tait]. Our friendship goes back awhile now. Jessica and I travelled overseas together, and we shared. I guess we kind of understand each other even though there is a big age difference.

My best friend Kathy Howden is in Melbourne but sadly she couldn’t come this year.

What is the women’s snooker scene like in Australia?

The quality is improving but we still need some younger ones coming up to test the top girls. I kind of wish I could play at the standard that I was a few years back, but I feel that age is getting to me, especially when you have to stretch that extra bit!

What are your hobbies when not playing snooker?

I have two grandchildren, so I love to spend time with them as well as with my daughter. She is one of the best people, she is a lovely girl. I have been very fortunate to have a daughter like her.

I’m also on the Commercial Club Committee for Cue Sports in Albury and we try to encourage as many tournaments there as possible. I have helped with the Fred Osbourne tournament which currently offers the highest prize money of $20,000.

I also work full-time as a landscape architect doing urban designs, schools, playgrounds and things like that. I really enjoy my work but I really enjoy time away from work too!

Thank you to Theresa for her time and we look forward to seeing her at a future tournament!