Exclusive: Kyren Wilson Joins New Players’ Association to Shape Snooker’s Future for His Kids

Snooker star Kyren Wilson revealed he joined the newly-formed Professional Snooker Players Association to have a say for the future of the sport.

Four-time world champion John Higgins is chairman and earlier this season said the body would give players a “stronger voice” after “not being listened to as we should have in recent years."

Former world champion Wilson is one of a 15-person board which includes the likes of world No.1 Judd Trump, four-time world champion Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen. 

Sons Finley and Bailey are budding players and Wilson wants to make sure the sport is in the best possible place if they take it up. 

And when asked his reasons for joining the body, Wilson told SportsBoom.co.uk: “My reasons for getting involved are my children. Potentially they’re going to look at taking up snooker in the future.” 

“I want to be able to have a voice and a positive impact for them for the future.”

“At the moment, I don’t necessarily feel like the players have as strong a voice as they could have.”

“If I can have any sort of impact to make it a brighter future for my kids I’m all for it.”

Tough Time at Home

World No.2 Wilson won the season-opening Shanghai Masters in fine style at the start of August, a sixth title in 15 months. 

But a worrying time at home with wife Sophie being ill and requiring surgery understandably saw Wilson go off the boil on the baize.

Thankfully, Sophie is on the mend and Wilson is in a better place mentally ahead of his Northern Ireland Open title defence.

“It’s taken its toll on me what’s happened behind closed doors,” added Wilson. 

“I think you have seen that in my results and my hunger.” 

“Watch out for the next few months because things are a lot better at home.”

“I’d like to get back to where I was at the start of the season really because I thought I started off in the same vain as I was last year. That winning feeling is such a great feeling and I want more of it.”

Inspiring Venue

Wilson hammered rival Trump 9-3 to pocket the Alex Higgins’ trophy and the £100,000 top prize last season. 

“I love Belfast,” added Wilson. 

“The Waterfront Hall is an amazing venue. Venues like that really inspire you to play your best snooker.”

“It was really frustrating that I hadn't done better there over the years. I was really lucky last year being world champion so I was always on centre stage and the arena becomes your own.”

“The end goal is that one-table set-up and the arena becomes extraordinarily. It was my first taste of the one-table set-up there last year and it was a great experience and I managed to win the tournament.”

“I really like Belfast as a city. When you get in taxis you're told stories of Alex Higgins from back in the day and I love all of that as a snooker fan myself.”