New coaching role for Terry Griffiths

On Q Promotions Chairman Paul Mount announced today that Terry Griffiths, the 1979 World Snooker Champion, widely recognised as the World's Leading Coach, has joined On Q Promotions as the new Director of Coaching.
Mr Mount said "I am absolutely delighted that Terry has agreed to join On Q Promotions and the South West Snooker Academy. Our aspirations for the sport dovetail perfectly and I am totally confident that with Terry on board we will continue to introduce more players into snooker and nurture the young talent with Terry's guidance at our purpose-built facilities at the South West Snooker Academy."
Terry Griffiths' role will include being coach to 'The Pink Army, as On Q Promotions' 19 managed players are popularly known.
Griffiths enthused, "I am really excited about this opportunity. The On Q players include opponents who I played as a professional, players who are real contenders for titles and also the new young talent at the start of their careers. It is a wonderful mix of players and I am looking forward to working with them."
In a long and illustrious coaching career Griffiths has worked with seven world champions and many other leading players. But the grass roots is also close to his heart, as is encouraging new players to participate in the sport and enhance their enjoyment and skills.
Mr Mount went on to explain that, in his dual role, Terry will be working to continue to develop the Junior Club at the Academy and bringing his knowledge of Snooker in Schools Projects to the Gloucester facility, to provide opportunities for young players to participate in the sport in the World Snooker endorsed facility.
"Terry is a key piece of the jigsaw, working with the Team at the South West Snooker Academy. With the schemes we have in place from Junior Club, Community Projects, local Schools, Summer Schools and the Specialist Packages for International Players and Governing Bodies, I am sure that we will see a future World Champion emerge from the South West Snooker Academy."
Terry commented, "I have been a World Champion, I have coached World Champions but I get an equal amount of pleasure and reward from seeing the smile on the face of a nine or ten year old as they enjoy the sport and improve their skills level."
Mr Mount, who founded On Q Promotions in 2009 and completed the building of his 'dream' facility in June 2010 added "When I told the On Q Players they were so excited to hear that Terry was joining the company. My phone was ringing non stop with our players asking for Terry's number and asking when they could arrange to see him.
Among the first to congratulate Griffiths on his appointment were On Q Promotions' senior players Jimmy White and Tony Drago.
In addition to his coaching of pupils, Griffiths also trains the new coaches. He is part of the WPBSA coaching team, along with Steve Davis and Chris Lovell and the next WPBSA Coaches' Training Course will take place at the South West Snooker Academy, Gloucester on 23-24 June 2011.
Griffiths also devised the Coaches' Training Scheme for the EBSA, the European Body for Snooker and these coaches are now helping to further develop the sport across Europe and coach the ever-increasing numbers of players in the developing countries.
Lasse Munstermann, Germany's leading player, who is currently training at the South West Snooker Academy said "This is the best possible news. Already The South West Snooker Academy was the perfect base to come to and now Terry Griffiths is here to, players from all over Europe and the World have the complete package to help them develop their game."
EBSA works in partnership with South West Snooker Academy and have recently announced that Kacper Filipiak, the 2011 European Under 21 Champion, who has gained a place on the World Snooker Professional Tour for 2011-12, has been offered a Residential Scholarship at the South West Snooker Academy.
Terry Griffiths OBE Biography
Born: 16 October 1947
Home Town: Llanelli, South Wales
Achievements: 1979 World Professional Champion, 1980 Masters Champion, 1982 UK Champion, 1980,81,82 Irish Masters Champion, 1970,80 World Team Champion, 1975 Welsh Amateur champion, 1977,78 English Amateur Champion
1987 Opened Terry Griffiths Matchroom Club, Llanelli.
1997 Retired from Professional Circuit.
2007 Awarded OBE for Services to Snooker.
2010 Launched Terry Griffiths Snooker Lab. (Snooker Lab is the first ever professionally endorsed technical analysis software, dedicated to taking snooker into the 21st Century.)
2010 WPBSA Coaching Scheme.
Paul Mount Biography
Chairman MIUS: Mount International Ultrasound Services (Europe's largest independent Ultrasound equipment and services supplier)
President: Gloucester Snooker & Billiards League.
On Q Promotions Players
Jimmy White, Tony Drago, Dominic Dale, Barry Hawkins, Jimmy Robertson, Andrew Pagett, Gerard Greene, Alfie Burden, Andy Hicks, Reanne Evans, Mark Davis, Robert Milkins, Jamie O'Neill, Kyren Wilson, Adam Wicheard, Andrew Norman, Jak Jones, Michael Wasley.
South West Snooker Academy
Address: Aquarius Centre, Edison Close, Waterwells Business Park, Gloucester GL2FN. Telephone: 01452 223214
Opened in June 2010 the facilities include 13 Star Tournament tables fitted to World Snooker standards by their fitters.
Featuring 8 Match Pods with spectator seating, 4 Practice tables and a 400 seater Arena.
The Academy is an EBSA and WPBSA Certified Centre of Excellence.
During the 2011-12 season World Snooker will stage three of their Tour events at the venue, including the UK Championship Qualifying Rounds.
The Arena plays host to major snooker events such as the MIUS Cup, The Legends Tour and is also utilised for Business and Corporate activities.
Link to South West Snooker Academy -
http://www.southwestsnookeracademy.com/