Ronnie O'Sullivan wants 'something done' about the current state of British snooker, with the Rocket eager for the next generation to be given the chance to flourish.
The 49-year-old is currently competing at the World Snooker Championship, a tournament he's bidding to win for an eighth time.
O'Sullivan remains a big attraction, despite his form dwindling over the past 18 months or so.
The next generation is yet to really break through, however, despite the WPBDSA calling for public funding to be used on snooker academies across the country.
Ronnie O'Sullivan wants 'something done' about the current state of British snooker, with the Rocket eager for the next generation to be given the chance to flourish
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O'Sullivan, per The Sun, has now called on John Higgins and Ken Doherty - as well as Mark Williams - to help start up snooker academies across the country.
Having seen the impact they've had in China, the veteran is convinced that something can be done to aid the youngsters hoping to make it to the big time.
“My true love is to help snooker players. I want to give back, not through exhibitions, because they can be a bit of a drain," he said.
“I think we need to put some academies in place here. How we get funding, how we can do that, I don’t know.
“But I’d love to see one in Wales, one in Scotland, one in England and one in Ireland.
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“John Higgins can front one in Scotland, Mark Williams in Wales, me here, and maybe Ken Doherty in Ireland.
“Get kids from as young as seven or eight, when they finish school, send them to the academy. Maybe put nine or ten ‘Star tables’ in there and get the kids playing.
“I’ve seen what they do in China. I’ve seen what the runners do in Kenya.
“It’s about time we do something in this country to give the kids a chance.
“The game’s growing, it’s getting bigger, it’s an exciting sport.
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“Life’s tough in the UK for everybody, so it’s a good chance for youngsters to come to a place where they can be in a safe place, learn a trade.
“We can do what China’s doing, which is churning out champions. It might take ten, fifteen, twenty years, but I think we can do it.
“We just have to somehow find some funding. I’d love to get behind it.
“Snooker is one of the few major sports that doesn’t get any public funding.
“We’re a bit thin on the ground with British talent. I think it'd be helpful if we can get some academies over here."
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O'Sullivan then added: “I know in China the government gets behind it and the same in Saudi Arabia but I’m sure there are ways we can do it.
“It doesn’t take a fortune. It’s not a fortune to hire a venue, get some tables.
“We’re really not looking at millions of pounds. We’re looking at maybe a few hundred thousand.
“Just pay the rent, maybe ten tables, a nice building where you’ve got enough space to do that and pay a few coaches to go there.
“We’re not talking a lot of money, but at least put the infrastructure in place. At least put the facilities in place and allow young kids to come in and get better at snooker.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is bidding to win the World Snooker Championship for the eighth time
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“If I was to not play, I’d still go on the tour, like Terry Griffiths used to do, like Ray Reardon did with me.
“But then I’d also like to do it for the youngsters as well. It’s about giving back, giving advice, helping people.
“Even professionals, I like to share my knowledge with them, because it’s a tough sport and everyone’s trying their best.”
Snooker has never been funded by UK Sport.
That could change, however, if it ever features at the Olympics or Paralympics in the future.
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