Mark Williams Draws Parallels as 12-Year-Old Son Shines in Youth Snooker

It may have been a tough week for two-time Masters champion Mark Williams on the snooker table, as he suffered a 6-2 defeat to Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen in the opening round of the 2026 edition. 

However, all was not doom and gloom in the Williams household.

Williams’ Son Making Waves in Youth Snooker

The spotlight has shifted to his 12-year-old son, Joel, who has qualified for both the European under-16 and under-18 snooker championships later this year.

He has made significant strides on the Welsh youth circuit in recent weeks. At a national under-18 series event held at the Brackla Snooker Centre in Bridgend, he needed to reach the final to qualify for that age group's event at the Euros, and he did just that. 

Joel made a break of 70 in his semi-final victory, which he later admitted is his highest ever in a competitive match, before losing 3-0 to 17-year-old Riley Powell in the final. 

Then back in action the following weekend at Amlwch Snooker Club, and he continued his impressive form. On Saturday, he won the Welsh under-14 series event after defeating Noah Walker 2-0 in the final.

He didn’t stop there. The very next day, Joel competed in the under-16 series at the same venue, completing a remarkable weekend double with a 2-1 victory over Rio Chung in the final.

This result secured Joel second place in the seasonal under-16 national rankings, earning him a ticket to another continental event representing Wales. The 2026 European Amateur Snooker Championships will be held in Gandia in March, the first time Spain has hosted the tournament.

A Proud Father Looks Ahead

Despite his own heavy defeat to Allen, Williams took time to speak about his son’s achievements.

“It’s good for him. He won the under 14s and under 16s. I think he gets to go to Valencia to represent Wales, so obviously I’ll be taking him,” Williams told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“The more experience he can gather, hopefully the more improvement he’ll make.”

When asked if he’s discussed Joel’s future in the sport and the possibility of him following in his footsteps, Williams responded with his trademark humour.

“You’d have to ask him. I wish he picked up another sport. Golf or something where you can go around in the sunny weather.”

“Look, it’s very difficult to make it in any sport, but I think he’s going to try. He couldn’t go out there and do any worse than me.”

“Who knows, hopefully he can keep progressing and one day he can become a professional like I did.”

Lessons from the Past

Williams sees parallels between his own early career and his son’s journey, but he notes the game has changed.

“I was dreaming when I was 12 of becoming a professional, I think he is as well. My father used to take me all around the country, I’m taking him all around the world because they don't just play in the UK. They play everywhere.”

He admitted Joel is likely ahead of where he was at the same age, though he was a fast developer, hitting century breaks by 13, a milestone his son will need to aim for.

“I can’t remember making 70s in competition at 12. But I made my first century break when I was 13, so he’s going to have to try and get to 100 by next year, otherwise he’s already behind me.”

Balancing Dad and Coach

Williams is relaxed about coaching his son, saying Joel simply doesn’t take any advice on board, and that’s fine by him.

“It’s quite easy. He doesn’t listen to me. Whatever I say, he doesn't listen, he just cracks on with his own game.”

One Day Sharing the Arena? 

When asked if he envisions sharing the professional arena with his son one day, perhaps even playing against him, Williams is candid.

“I don't know about that. By the time he turns professional, I’ll be bloody 60. I can’t see myself coming back here then.”

“No, if he beat me, it wouldn’t be a nice occasion at all. He’d take the mick out of me forever,” he jokingly concluded.