4 hours ago
2 
Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan agree that Stan Moody is the standout prospect for British snooker, but talent from this part of the world is ‘thin on the ground’ compared to elsewhere.
18-year-old Moody turned professional in 2023 and has made steady progress on the World Snooker Tour so far, currently number 67 in the world rankings.
The Yorkshireman has not burst onto the scene like O’Sullivan did when he turned pro in 1992, but his performances have been encouraging and has impressed both the Rocket and the world number one.
Asked for standout young talents from these shores, O’Sullivan said: ‘I like Stan Moody, I think he’s got a really great strong technique, he’s got a good, snooker brain.’
The seven-time world champion added: ‘I like the guy from Ireland, Aaron Hill, he beat me one time. I think he’s got great potential.
‘I really like Jackson Page – obviously he’s got Mark Williams giving him help and he’s obviously learning a hell of a lot off him.
‘Is there anyone else out there? We’re a bit thin on the ground with British talent.’
Trump believes that there is a lack of talent coming through from the UK, compared to the emergence of a number of impressive young Chinese stars, due to a difference in work ethic.
Lei Peifan (21) Wu Yize (21) and Si Jiahui (22) have all qualified for the Crucible this year, along with seven other Chinese stars and Trump believes the reason is simple, although hailed Moody for his dedication.
‘I just think kids from the UK don’t want to work as hard. It is as simple as that,’ said Trump. ‘I don’t think they have less chances.
‘I don’t think they want it as bad as some of the players over there. A lot of kids nowadays probably, their lifestyle is too luxurious. They want all the latest gadgets, and trainers and not willing to lock themselves in a room for 5-6 hours a day, which many of the Chinese players do.
‘They are hungrier than them. That is my attitude. Apart from a couple of players, Stan Moody, is one of them, who looks like he wants it and works hard.
‘Other than that, I don’t think the hunger is there to be honest. And you can see that when they play.’
O’Sullivan has ideas to help more players emerge from this country and intends to be hands on in doing so when he eventually hangs up his cue himself.
‘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,’ he said. ‘But then I’d also like to do it for the youngsters as well.
‘It’s OK going in with a top player, that’s nice, but it’d be nice to get them really young, get them trained up and just see them develop.’
The 49-year-old has also suggested setting up four academies in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, fronted by stars of the game, in a bid to encourage more young players to take up snooker.
O’Sullivan has already fronted an academy in Saudi Arabia but would like to see more closer to home.
‘I’m enjoying the work I’m doing there – hopefully we can do something similar with some young kids in the UK and in China, I think that’s where my true love is – to help snooker players,’ he said.
‘The young people in the game…that’s where my love is really. Giving back, not exhibitions, they can be a bit of a drain.
‘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.
‘John Higgins can front one in Scotland, Mark Williams in Wales, me here, and maybe Ken Doherty in Ireland – or something like that. Get kids from as young as seven or eight, when they finish school, send them to the academy 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. 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 – that’s what snooker is – and we can do what China’s doing which is churning out champions.
‘It might take 10, 15, 20 years, but I think we can do it. We just have to somehow find some funding. I’d love to get behind it, I’d love to support it, put my name to it, along with John Higgins and Mark Williams. I don’t know how you get funding, I really don’t know, but it’d be good if we can.’
Funding from public bodies has proved very hard to come by for snooker, with focus tending to be on Olympic and Paralympic sports.
A UK Sport spokesperson said: ‘Our strategic investments aim to maximise the performance of UK athletes in sports that are on the Olympic and Paralympic programmes – a remit set by government.’
Applications for funding can be made to Sport England through The Movement Fund, although that only stretches to £15,000.
Bengali (Bangladesh) · 
English (United States) ·