World Snooker Qualifying School (Q School) restarts at World Snooker Academy in May – Snooker news
World Snooker chief, Barry Hearn, has made several decisions regarding the development of snooker across the globe. He not only introduced several new snooker events in different continents but also made some changes in the playing formats of certain tournaments.
World Snooker Qualifying School (Q School) was also one of his initiatives which gave all amateur snooker players a chance to avail an opportunity and earn a main circuit spot. The first Q School event was held at the World Snooker Academy (WSA) in Sheffield
in May, 2011 and 12 players, who reached the semi-final stage of the event were awarded main tour cards at the end.
Once again, the Q School will be staged at the WSA in Sheffield from May 13, 2012 with its full essence, where 128 players will participate to win a two-season pro tour ticket for 2012-13 and 2013-14 snooker circuits. This year, a new Q School ranking list
will also be finalised on the basis of a one point per frame win.
Speaking to the local reporters, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) chairman Jason Ferguson said, “Q School was staged for the first time last year and we consider it the best and fairest way to give all players the chance to qualify
for the tour.”
“Rookies such as Sheffield's Adam Duffy and China's Li Yan came through the system, and both have since climbed quickly up the world rankings, so that shows what players can do if they have the talent and the dedication.”
Ferguson added, “Snooker is rapidly becoming a global sport, with more tournaments, more prize money and more players. We are increasing the tour from 96 to 128 players in season 2013-14, so the opportunities to qualify for the main tour have increased dramatically.”
Q School 2012 will feature three events and amateurs can enter the events with just a £1,000 entrance fee. Four semi-finalists from each event will qualify for a two-year pro tour. The total prize money for the tour has increased from £3.5 million to £6
million in last two years. There are expectations that the prize money might go up to £8 million next year.
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