This week in Sheffield PJ Nolan qualified to become an official World Snooker recognised Coach. PJ was invited by the WPBSA to attend a two day intensive training course in the England Institute of Sport in Sheffield where all the WSA qualifying events are held during the season.

Steve Davis, Terry Griffiths and Chris Lovell conducted the two day seminar which covered all aspects of the game and PJ becomes the first ever World Snooker coach from the Republic Of Ireland.

Jason Ferguson Chairman of the WPBSA said ‘’ World Snooker are very happy to have an experienced coach like PJ working within world snooker in helping to coach and produce the future stars in Ireland and all across Europe’’

PJ’s impressive coaching CV reads that he has coached all over the world. He is the current National coach in the Republic Of Ireland. He was the Qatar National coach in the Middle East for six years.

He graduated from Coaching Ireland in Limerick University as the first snooker coaching tutor back in 2002. He became a full time professional coach in 1999.Terry Griffiths appointed him the (EBSA) European head coach in 2009.

He now works full time for (RIBSA) The Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association in providing professional coaching and training throughout Ireland and across Europe and Asia. He is the only full time professional coach in Europe employed by a national governing body.

In 2011 he has coached in Canada, India, Israel, Belgium, Iran, Bulgaria, Wales and Malta plus players have travelled to Ireland from Austria, Lithuania, England, Israel and Belgium to receive coaching.

PJ currently coaches players like Fergal O Brien, David Hogan, Aditya Mehta and Lucky Vatnani on the main professional tour, along with top Irish amateurs Rodney Goggins, Vincent Muldoon, Jason Devaney, Robert Murphy, Josh Boileau and Shachar Ruberg from Israel.

Since returning from Qatar in 2008 PJ has transformed how our RIBSA players train and prepare for major championships and results have been incredible with Jason Devaney winning Junior Pot Black in the Crucible theatre. David Hogan won the European Championship. Rodney Goggins won the bronze medal and made a 147 break in the world IBSF championships. Colm Gilcreest reached the world amateur final and Vincent Muldoon reached the European amateur final. The players have stated that PJ’s coaching and guidance was crucial in helping them achieve this success.

Jim Leacy Chairman of RIBSA said ‘’ He was delighted to see PJ becoming an official World Snooker Coach. PJ has proved over the years that he is one of the very best coaches around and it is great news for RIBSA in helping us in developing the game in Ireland ’’

PJ’s website www.147academy is fast becoming one of the top coaching sites in the world. This website has free access and you can watch videos of his players training. You can also download all his training books and manuals which are used on a daily basis all around the world.

During his visit to Sheffield PJ had a chance to train two of his academy players Aditya Mehta and Lucky Vatnani who are from India in the Star Academy. Both players are based full time in Sheffield and play on the Professional main tour. Aditya and Lucky practice each day using PJ’s training programs and play against players like Ding Junhui, Liang Wenbo and a string of Asian players who are also based in the star academy.

The world professional championship trophy won by John Higgins in the crucible theatre last May was on show during the course to inspire the thirteen coaches from all across the UK who attended the course. This included former professional player Jon Birch who won the World under 21 title in 1987 and played Ken Doherty in the world amateur final back in 1989.

Each coach had to undergo specific training on Demonstrating and explaining playing techniques, Roles of a world snooker coach, Rules of the game, Good Coach Vs Bad Coach, Child Protection/ Safeguarding, Assessing and developing players, Equality and Diversity.

Terry Griffiths, Steve Davis and Jason Ferguson officially presented PJ with his WSA coaching badge and certificate at the end of the course.

PJ said ‘’ I am thrilled to become a world snooker coach and It was fantastic to receive training from Terry Griffiths and Steve Davis on how the modern game is played and coached. He thanked Chris Lovell for everything in designing a great course and Jason Ferguson from the WPBSA for inviting him to become part of a great WSA coaching team ‘’

The World Snooker Coaching Course 5th & 6th October 2011

Jason Ferguson Chairman of the W.P.B.S.A. and PJ

Steve Davis Coaching Director and PJ

Terry Griffiths Coaching Director and PJ