​DISABILITY SNOOKER
JUNIOR CLUB
DISABILITY SNOOKER JUNIOR CLUB
DISABILITY SNOOKER
JUNIOR CLUB
Inclusive fun for all abilities
This provision is for children who have a disability aged 8 -18 years.
Term Time
Saturday | 10am - 3pm
Sunday | 10am - 3pm
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School Holiday
Monday - Friday | 10am - 3pm
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​ A great setting for children to attend our snooker sessions and learn a new sport. Along the way your child will make new friendships and learn a great deal. The staff help focus on boosting children's confidence and social skills in an all inclusive and welcoming space.
If you are a parent/carer and you are interested in your child becoming a member please complete the referral form below.
JUNIOR CLUB
What our service offers
The short break programme was devised by ex-professional snooker player Stephen Harrison to combine the joy of learning new skills with real learning opportunities for young people with mental and physical disabilities in the city that’s the home of the sport. The breaks use the game of snooker as a starting point for a much wider range of activities. The activities include coaching, confidence-building, tournaments for all abilities, quiet zone time, peer mentoring and one-to-one support.
Our short break activities offer proven benefits including:
· Great social interaction
· The chance to practise numeracy, literacy and interpersonal skills
· Achievable, inclusive and confidence-building sporting sessions
· Fun awards and recognition in a safe space with the chance to build a team of friends along with personal resilience and self-worth.
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Accessible to all
Stephen Harrison started this programme having realised the real benefits of snooker as a sport that’s truly accessible to every gender, level of fitness, age and mental and physical ability.
the years, we run monthly awards nights which the children attend along with their families this works well has the children mix with the friends they have met through the setting and the parents get a chance to meet each other and become friends.
Children who attend the short breaks often surprise themselves, and us, with their achievements and with the degree of confidence they display following their sessions.
Our ongoing relationships with many of the children who first came to us on the short-break programme is testament to our staff and volunteers and their dedication to ensuring the best possible future for every child.
TESTIMONIALS
"The club has such a lovely atmosphere. It’s a calm environment but full of fun too. The staff are so friendly and encouraging. You feel like you’re part of a big, extended family. This is all down to Steve Harrison himself – such an inspirational man, with a huge passion for the sport and in particular, for increasing access to the game for people with disabilities."
Sheena Mansell - Parent
"We cannot stress how grateful we are for all that Steve does for our son and others by giving them the opportunity to have somewhere to go that they love, feel a part of and to feel included whilst learning a life-long skill."
Ashley Garner - Parent
"My son's autistic and had the chance to come and see what it's all about here, he only had an hour but he decided in that hour he wanted to come back, Steve, Katie and rest have been really welcoming to us and today made me proud, Steve got him helping him do things and play cards and did tricks, my son really enjoyed today, it was nice to see, I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone."
Paul Hutchinson - Parent
"It's really fun and I get to meet new people."
Joe,13
"Snooker benefits me because not only am IÂ getting better at the sport, my social skills have improved significantly and my speaking skills as well."
William, 16
"I like it because it helps me with what I've got (special needs) and I learn new things and meet new people as friends."
Ewan, 14
"The Academy has been a great help, if I hadn't joined the disability group I probably would never have picked up a cue and would've been stuck in the house not doing much."
Joe Bell - Former Service User and Volunteer
"My son get real benefit from coming here every week"
Lydia Wood - Parent
"It's good making new friends and playing snooker."
Josh, 16
WANT TO JOIN?
If you are a parent or carer of a child with special needs and would like to join this service please fill out this referral form.