Category: News

Entries Open for World Championship / World Cup

By In News, World Women's Championship, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Entries Open for World Championship / World Cup

World Women’s Snooker (WWS) is now accepting nominations from national federations for players to compete in the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship and the inaugural Women’s Snooker World Cup.

EXTENSION – The closing date for nominations/payment of entry fees is Wednesday 29th May 2019

World Women’s Snooker Championship

This year’s World Women’s Snooker Championship will run from 20-23 June at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Thailand with a minimum total prize fund of £15,000 to be contested by the world’s best women snooker players.

Each national federation will be eligible to nominate up to EIGHT players as part of their standard allocation of players.

In addition to these entries, the top 30 ranked players in the latest World Women’s Rankings will also qualify for nomination for the tournament. These players must still be nominated by their national federation.

Women’s Snooker World Cup

The week will also see the first staging of the Women Snooker World Cup from 17-19 June, a brand-new team event which will see two-player national teams battle to become World Cup winners.

Each national federation will be eligible to nominate up to TWO TEAMS of TWO PLAYERS.

The host nation Thailand will be granted an additional two team entries.

How to nominate players

To nominate players for each event, please complete the Player Nomination Form and return by email to us at info@womenssnooker.com. This form must be completed for each player.

Player nominations will not be accepted until we have received both a completed Player Nomination Form and payment of entry fee as set out in the entry pack.

The closing date for nominations/payment of entry fees is Wednesday 29th May 2019

Please see the full event entry pack for more information including our PayPal/bank details. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact WWS by email or by social media.

If you are player and wish to enter this event, please contact your national federation as soon as possible to request a nomination

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Billiards Sports Association of Thailand for their support and look forward to welcoming players for what will be a fantastic week of women’s snooker at the Hi-End Snooker Club!

Sheffield to Stage Women’s Snooker Day

By In News, World Snooker, WPBSA, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Sheffield to Stage Women’s Snooker Day

Women’s snooker will be showcased during the upcoming Betfred World Snooker Championship on Wednesday 1st May 2019 with activities taking place at the Sheffield Winter Garden across from the iconic Crucible Theatre.

Previously held as Ladies Day, the newly rebranded Women’s Snooker Day aims to encourage women to participate in snooker at all levels, including the World Women’s Snooker Tour which welcomes players of all ages and abilities to compete at its events.

Organised by World Snooker, in partnership with the WPBSA and World Women’s Snooker, the day will see activities staged throughout at the ‘Cue Zone’ with world women’s number 3 and 1st4sport WPBSA Level 2 coach Rebecca Kenna supported by Sarah McManus and Annette Lord. They will be joined by players from the World Women’s Snooker Tour and students from Spire Junior School, encouraging members of the public to pick up a cue and try snooker.

#Cue4All

Once again Women’s Snooker Day will form part of the #Cue4All initiative organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, which aims to promote the inclusive nature of snooker and billiards.

Even if you cannot make it to the Crucible on the day, be part of the celebrations by hosting open days at your club, offering free taster sessions, running snooker challenges, promoting your community snooker sessions and sharing stories on social media about the groups or individuals who access your snooker facilities.

Remember to tag in the hashtag #Cue4All across social media so that we can share your inclusive activities during this year’s Betfred World Championship!

Evans Dominates World Festival to Secure Number One Return

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It was another successful weekend for Dudley’s Reanne Evans who completed the successful defence of three titles at the 2019 Festival of Women’s Snooker to ensure that she would return to the top of the World Women’s Snooker ranking list.

Held at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England, the Festival saw a record field of entries from across the globe come together for the four-day event which saw five world championship titles decided.

Coming into the event on the back of three ranking titles already this term, Evans first claimed success in the World Women’s 10-Red Championship event as she dispatched Louise Cothier, Steph Daughtery, Emma Parker and Chinese debutant Chunxia Shi to reach the final, before coming back from 2-0 down to defeat Ng On Yee 4-3 in the final.

The result meant that Evans headed into Sunday’s 6-Red competition knowing that a quarter-final run would be sufficient to guarantee her return to the top of the ranking list at the expense of her long-time rival. Quick-fire wins against Hong Kong pair Yeeting Cheung and So Man Yan ensured that this would be the case before she added the scalps of Steph Daughtery, Baipat Siripaporn and finally Nutcharut Wongharuthai (who has defeated On Yee in the semi-finals), to seal a title double in the singles competitions.

This became a triple the following day as together with five-time world championship finalist Maria Catalano, Evans defeated Thai duo Ploychompoo Laokiatphong and Baipat Siripaporn to win the World Women’s Pairs Championship title for a third time on Monday.

The win did not come easily however as the pair came through deciding-frame finishes in two matches on their way to the final, first against Ng On Yee and So Man Yan in the last eight, before coming through against Thai pair Wongharuthai and Waratthanun Sukritthanes in the semi-finals.

The World Women’s Under-21 Championship saw a new winner as 16-year-old Ploychompoo Laokiatphong upset fellow Thai player and defending champion Nutcharut Wongharuthai in the final.

With the pair having topped their round-robin groups to set up the final meeting it was ‘Ploy’ who moved into a 2-1 lead before she sealed an impressive victory with a break of 70 in what proved to be the final frame.

Ploy would also secure the Challenge Cup title during the 6-Red competition to complete a fantastic weekend for the youngster, while Emma Parker secured the under-21 Challenge match against Baipat Siripaporn.

This year’s World Women’s Seniors Championship saw Jenny Poulter complete the successful defence of her title with a 2-0 victory against the returning Jan Hughes on Saturday afternoon.

Following a competitive round-robin stage which saw a 100% increase on entries compared to a year ago, it was the pair who won their respective groups to progress to the final, which saw Poulter edge both frames to claim the title once again.

The Challenge Cup event was won by Jane O’Neill representing Spain following a 2-0 success against Maureen Rowland.

There was also success for Laura Evans of Wales who edged out pairs partner Suzie Opacic to claim the Challenge Cup title in Saturday’s 10-Red tournament.

The highest break during the weekend was a magnificent total clearance of 130 made by Ng On Yee during Monday’s pairs competition, after she had also made a 71 clearance against Romania’s Corina Maracine during the 6-Red event, just four short of the maximum 75 points available under the format.

For the first time followers from home could follow the action using the new WPBSA Tournament Manager, which provided live scores from up to three tables with regular updates from the remaining matches.

All at World Women’s Snooker would like to express thanks to our hosts at the Northern Snooker Centre who always look after us, as well as all of the players, supporters and officials who helped make the event a success once again.

Full results from the singles competitions from the 2019 Festival are available HERE.

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On Yee to Defend Top Ranking in Leeds

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The world women’s number one ranking could change hands for the first time in over a year depending on results at the upcoming Festival of Women’s Snooker at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.

Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee has sat at the top of the list for almost 14 months since she overtook 11-time world women’s champion Reanne Evans following the British Open last February, but having already won three ranking event titles so far this term it is Evans who could reclaim the number one position this weekend.

Following her triumph at the Belgian Open at the start of February, Evans currently sits exactly 8,000 points behind her rival on the official list. However, with On Yee set to defend a maximum 10,000 ranking points following her back-to-back triumphs at the 6-Red and 10-Red tournaments at the 2017 Festival, an event at which Evans did not play (and therefore has no points to be removed from her ranking), it is Dudley’s Evans who is top of the provisional ranking list heading into this year’s event.

This means that On Yee must earn 2,000 more ranking points during this weekend’s 6-Red and 10-Red World Championship events if she is to retain top spot heading to June’s World Women’s Snooker Championship in Thailand.

Away from the top two, other players with a significant amount of points to defend at this event include Laura Evans (6,500), Suzie Opacic (5,850) and Rebecca Kenna (5,700) following their performances at the event two years ago.

Follow @WomensSnooker via Twitter and Facebook for regular updates throughout the weekend, as well as the latest results here.

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Festival of Women’s Snooker: Tournament Information

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Tournament information for the Festival of Women’s Snooker starting this Friday at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds is now available:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

  • Information for Monday’s Pairs event will be released closer to the event

The Festival is the sixth event of the 2018/19 World Women’s Snooker Tour season and the marks its third staging since its introduction to the calendar in 2017.

Last year saw 11-time world champion Reanne Evans claim both the individual 6-Red and 10-Red titles, as well as the women’s pairs competition together alongside teammate Maria Catalano.

This year’s event has attracted the biggest field in several years at a World Women’s Snooker event with 36 individual players set to compete across the weekend, including several debutants and returning players.

Players losing in the opening round of the 6-Red and 10-Red events will be automatically entered into a Challenge Cup tournament (start time not before 5pm each day). If you do not wish to be included in the draw please inform the tournament desk as soon as possible.

Tournament information, including live scores from selected matches will be available to view using the new WPBSA Tournament Manager.

If you have any questions please contact a member of the team via our website or social media.

WWS Statement: Rebecca Kenna

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Following the media reports concerning our world women’s number 3 Rebecca Kenna, World Women’s Snooker (WWS) can confirm its position as follows:

WWS is committed to promoting more opportunities for women and girls to play our fantastic sport and to be able to compete together with men on a level playing field at all levels. The World Professional Snooker Tour is open to all with no barriers to entry and based on a mixed gender equal opportunity policy.

Several women and girls who play on our tour also regularly compete alongside men in mixed gender leagues across the country without any barriers. It is disappointing and unacceptable that in 2019 that players such as Rebecca Kenna have been the victim of antiquated discriminatory practices.

These are not condoned by snooker’s world governing body the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) or WWS, and together with our partner organisations we fully support Rebecca’s position. The WPBSA adopts a clear equal opportunities policy through which these venues will not be considered to host any international competitions and are ineligible to be affiliated to England’s official club scheme The 147 Club until they can demonstrate equality.

Mink Makes Historic Max

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Thai talent Nutcharut Wongharuthai has today compiled a 147 maximum break for the first time in her career at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Thailand.

The world number eight (also known as ‘Mink’) completed the magical break during a practice match, a perfect split on the bunch of reds from the third black paving the way for what would prove to be snooker perfection.

It is believed that the break is the first ever 147 break to have been compiled by a woman in a match, either practice or in tournament play, potentially making this a historic achievement by the 19-year-old star.

The feat follows a successful breakthrough year in 2018 for Wongharuthai, who reached two ranking finals during the calendar year on her way to breaking into the world’s top ten for the first time.

You can watch the break via YouTube HERE.

Above photo courtesy of the Hi-End Snooker Club.

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Thailand to Host 2019 World Women’s Championship

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World Women’s Snooker (WWS) and the World Snooker Federation (WSF) are today delighted to announce that two prestigious women’s snooker tournaments will be contested across seven days at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok, Thailand this June.

The 38th staging of the iconic World Women’s Snooker Championship, won last year for a third time by Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, will take place from 20-23 June 2019. This will be preceded by the inaugural edition of a new international team competition for women players from across the globe from 17-19 June.

The blue riband event will be held with the full support of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand and the Hi-End Snooker Club, a world-class facility which boasts 15 snooker tables and is the home of women’s players including 19-year-old Nutcharut Wongharuthai who has reached two WWS finals over the past 12 months.

This year’s World Women’s Championship shall carry a minimum prize fund of £15,000 and the team event a minimum total of £7,000, making this the biggest week of women’s snooker for over a decade.

Mandy Fisher, WWS president said: “We are excited to be heading back to Asia for this year’s World Women’s Championship and are thrilled with the support that we have received from our friends at the Hi-End Snooker Club and BSAT in the organisation of this event.

“We are also looking forward to hosting a major new international team event and to seeing women players from all over the world for what should be a fantastic week of snooker.”

Mr. Borriruk (Gap), general manager at the Hi-End Snooker Club said: “We feel very honoured to have been offered the responsibility to host these prestigious tournaments in our premises. We can now prepare to welcome the world’s best athletes to a fascinating snooker place.”

Suntorn Jarumon, BSAT president said: “We are delighted that World Women’s Snooker will be holding its biggest event of the year at the Hi-End Snooker Club and are looking forward to supporting the event.

“Women’s snooker in Thailand is growing year on year and Thai women players have been making a strong impact on the international stage, as well as at professional events. This year we will stage a women’s national snooker championship for the first time and the staging of a major ranking event in Thailand will surely benefit the game further and boost the popularity of women’s snooker in our country for years to come.”

Players will be nominated for both events by their national federation. Further information, including hotel information and the entry process for national federations to both events will be released as soon as possible.

Key information

Dates

16 June – Opening ceremony / Welcome
17-19 June – Team Event
20-23 June – World Women’s Snooker Championship 2019

Venue

Hi-End Snooker Club, Bangkok, Thailand.

 

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Emma Parker – Shoot Out Is Massive Opportunity

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Leading women’s snooker player Emma Parker believes the chance to play in this week’s BetVictor Shoot Out in Watford is a “massive opportunity.”

Parker, Women’s World Under-21 Champion in 2017, is one of two female players in the field  alongside Reanne Evans. It will be the first time that women have competed in televised matches in the final stages of a world ranking event in the UK.

Parker is one of eight players to have been awarded wild card places among the 128-strong field. The tournament, which runs from February 21-24 at the Watford Colosseum, is televised on Eurosport and Quest.

Age 19 from Essex, Parker is currently top of the World Women’s Snooker under-21 rankings and tenth in the overall rankings. She faces India’s Laxman Rawat in the first round in Watford on Friday evening. Match schedule

The Shoot Out has a unique format with all matches played in a single frame and lasting a maximum of ten minutes. There is a shot clock of 15 seconds for the first five minutes and ten seconds for the last five.

“I will be nervous on Friday but hopefully I can put that to one side and play well,” said Parker, who has practised in the past with top players including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump. “It is a massive opportunity for myself and Reanne to play on television. Hopefully we can win matches. I would love snooker to be my career, I just have to take it step by step.”

Parker won an amateur tournament in London last weekend, beating several male players. “That has given me confidence,” she added. “I  don’t know much about my first round opponent on Friday but I’ll just be focused on playing my game. I have been practising with a shot clock, my mum has been counting down the seconds for me! It’s not easy, you have to see the shot quickly and then play it.”

Evans, arguably snooker’s best ever female player having won the women’s World Championship 11 times, is up against legend Jimmy White on Thursday evening.

Other top stars in action include Shaun Murphy, Barry Hawkins, Kyren Wilson, Ali Carter, Stuart Bingham, Ken Doherty and defending champion Michael Georgiou.

The eight wildcards are:

Ryan Davies, English Junior Champion

Liam Graham, Scottish Under-16 champion

Liam Davies, Welsh Under-14s number one

Stephan Bateman, Irish Under-21 Champion

Ben Mertens, Belgium. European Under-18 Championship quarter-finalist.

Emma Parker, top of women’s world under-21 rankings

Reanne Evans, multiple Women’s World Champion

Brandon Sargeant, top of the Challenge Tour rankings

Tickets for the BetVictor Shoot Out start at just £13.50. Certain sessions will sell out so fans must book now..the clock is ticking! Fast and furious drama is guaranteed. For details CLICK HERE  

Festival of Women’s Snooker 2019: Enter Now

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Entries are now being accepted for this season’s Festival of Women’s Snooker as the World Women’s Snooker Tour heads back to Leeds.

The event will take place across four days from 12-15 April 2019 at the Northern Snooker Centre and as was the case last year will incorporate five world championship competitions:

  • Friday 12 April – World Women’s Under-21 Championship / World Women’s Seniors Championship
  • Saturday 13 April – World Women’s 10-Red Championship
  • Sunday 14 April – World Women’s 6-Red Championship
  • Monday 15 April – World Women’s Pairs Championship

Last season saw Reanne Evans claim a title triple with individual victories in the 10-Red and 6-Red competitions, as well as in the pairs tournament together with Maria Catalano. There was also success for Nutcharut Wongharuthai and Jenny Poulter who claimed silverware in the Under-21 and Seniors events respectively.

The closing date for entries and payment of entry fees is 4:30pm BST on Friday 5 April 2019.

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