Mark Shelby, world number four in snooker, will be supporting a new snooker academy that will be run by Shelby’s former coach Alan Perkins. The new academy will be in Harborough at the Cannon Club. Perkins, who is also Shelby’s friend, will be hosting the academy to train and develop the junior talent in the area.

Lloyd Walden will be their first to receive a scholarship from the academy. Lloyd is the nine year old son of the club owner, Ian Walden. Lloyd’s talent was first discovered by his father when they went to a bowling alley when Lloyd was only six years old.

Ian stated that Lloyd wanted to play a game of pool and had never tried before. When he picked up a cue for the first time and began playing “he just started potting balls. So then I brought him down to the snooker club and was told to keep an eye on him because he has a real talent.”

Since then, Lloyd has gone on to really love the game and gone on to record a break of 69. Lloyd even played against Shelby and won an exhibition frame against Jimmy White when he recently visited the club.

Perkins first noticed Lloyd’s skills at a competition hosted at Willie Thorne’s snooker club in Leicester. Perkins asked Lloyd’s father how long he had been playing and if he might like to apply for a scholarship. Lloyd was picked for one of four scholarships which will provide him with twelve months of coaching from Perkins. Shelby will also be helping with the junior’s development.

Alan Perkins is considered one of the top junior development coaches in the game and the young players should learn a great deal from him. Lloyd has commented that he is very excited to start and can’t wait.




- 2008-09-08