National Snooker Academy Plans in Motion, Reveals WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson

Snooker’s long-term future at the Crucible Theatre has been secured, with the World Championship set to remain in Sheffield until at least 2045, and potentially through to 2050.

The agreement between the World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council represents a major statement of intent, further backed by ambitious plans to redevelop the iconic venue. 

A £45 million refurbishment, including a potential increase of 500 seats and an innovative ‘in the round’ format, aims to modernise the sport’s most famous stage.

With discussions also ongoing about raising the World Championship winner’s prize to £1 million, the professional game appears to be entering a period of growth and investment.

But while the elite end of the sport is thriving, questions remain about the grassroots pipeline in the UK.

Concerns Over the Next Generation

Despite snooker’s global expansion, particularly in Asia, there are growing concerns about the lack of young British talent emerging through the ranks.

Currently, there are no British players under 30 inside the top 32 in the world rankings, a stark contrast to China, which boasts seven players in that same category.

Meanwhile, the legendary ‘Class of 92’, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams, all now over 50, continue to compete at the highest level, underlining the lack of youth progression domestically.

It’s within this context that the sport’s leadership is now turning its attention toward long-term sustainability.

Learning from China’s Investment Model

Speaking at the Crucible extension announcement, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson highlighted the clear impact of structured grassroots investment, particularly in China.

“A few people have said that about the grassroots of the sport. I mean, you know, the obvious one is we're seeing a lot of young Chinese players coming in. China invests heavily in grassroots sports,” Ferguson told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“We have a have a national academy in China, the WPBSA, a British company. We have a national academy in Beijing. And that academy has turned out players like Zhao Xintong. So, you know, it does work investment in national sport.”

China’s model has become a benchmark for success, producing technically refined, young players ready to compete on the world stage, something Ferguson believes the UK can once again replicate with the right backing.

A Shift in Government Attitudes

Historically, snooker has struggled to access the same level of national funding as Olympic sports, often operating outside traditional high-performance pathways.

Ferguson believes that may finally be changing.

“And we do see investment heavily in many other sports going into training through UK sport, Olympic medals. You know, the fact that we sit slightly on one side away from those multi-sport games, we don't actually receive the same amount of respect.”

“What this represents here today, I'll say it together. It represents a fundamental shift in attitudes in government, in what sports matter to the people.”

“Our sport does matter to the people of this country and the people around the world, and that has been widely recognised. I see that as a beginning of what's possible.”

The Crucible redevelopment and long-term commitment to Sheffield could mark a turning point in how snooker is viewed, not just as a heritage sport, but as one worthy of sustained investment.

From ‘Shoestring’ to Global Success

Ferguson also reflected on how far the sport has come, having once operated with minimal resources and largely volunteer-led structures.

“We've been battling, trying to create projects for Sport England for many years. We're getting that respect. We know we can deliver. We've built a massive global sport on next to nothing. We've been running this sport on shoestrings in the early years.”

“Even 15 years ago when I took over the governing body, at that time our resources were so small and our income was so small. Half of us were doing voluntary jobs and trying to keep things going.” 

“When you see what we build from nothing, and you see now that we have a fully functioning disability scheme, a fully functioning women's sport, a fully functioning grassroots programme globally, World Amateur, World Junior Championships. We’ve created pathways in every continent in the world. The sport is massive.”

This global infrastructure, Ferguson argues, proves snooker’s capability to scale further, particularly if given greater institutional support.

Prime Minister Engagement Opens Doors

Ferguson revealed that recent engagement at the highest levels of government has helped reinforce snooker’s position as a sport of national significance.

“Respects the prime minister. He was willing to listen, and he certainly listened and could see with his own eyes the scale of the sport.”

That recognition, he believes, could unlock new opportunities, particularly in the development of elite pathways within the UK.

National Academy Plans Take Shape

At the heart of those ambitions is the proposed creation of a UK-based National Snooker Academy, a project Ferguson is deeply passionate about.

“I think the door is open now to go and look at a National Academy. Perhaps that will be here in Sheffield, I hope so.”

“The National Academy for the National governing body is something I'm very passionate. To bring those young kids in the UK through and give them that elite training programme that I think we deserve. That is certainly a project on the horizon.”

The academy would aim to replicate the success seen in China, providing structured coaching, facilities, and development pathways for emerging British talent.

Building Pathways Beyond the Table

Ferguson also outlined a broader vision that extends beyond elite performance, focusing on integrating snooker more deeply into communities and education systems.

“We'll work with the English Partnership [EPSB], which is a separate body from us on, on that project.”

“I also see the ability to grow further into community, whether it be school programmes, university programmes, it could even take us into manufacturing, working with the university.”

This holistic approach could help reconnect the sport with younger audiences, ensuring both participation and interest grow alongside the professional game.