RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has revealed his radical blueprint to save snooker in the UK – and unearth the next Rocket.
China has hundreds of academies that are churning out the next crop of outstanding young talent.
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And their cueists under 30 are leading the way and seem more developed compared to their English, Welsh and Scottish counterparts.
The seven-time world champion is at that stage of life, less than eight months before his 50th birthday, where he is thinking about legacy beyond playing commitments.
And he wants fellow members of the Class of 92, Mark Williams and John Higgins, plus 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, to front prospective snooker academies in the Home Nations.
Yet O’Sullivan reckons it would only work if there is public funding – something the WPBSA, the governing body, have constantly fought for.
The Crucible King, 49, said: “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.
“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.
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“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.
“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.”
O’Sullivan – who has a snooker academy in his name in Saudi Arabia – highlighted Halifax cueist Stan Moody (18), Ireland’s Aaron Hill (23) and Welsh two-time 147 hero Jackson Page (23) as individuals with huge potential.
The 41-time world ranking champion said: “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.
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“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.
“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, treasurers of the war chest of National Lottery dosh, but that would change if it ever became an official Olympic or Paralympic sport.
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.”
Sport England recognise snooker as a sport and a spokesperson said: “Our Movement Fund remains open for applications.
“Awards of between £300 and £15,000 are available for physical activity projects providing opportunities to communities to be active.”
World Snooker Championship 2025
WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action!
There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will take to the snooker table after missing recent tournaments, while world No 1 Judd Trump heads into the tournament as the favourite.
The likes of Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and John Higgins are also expected to be contenders.
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