New Academy First in Ireland Opened By Sports Minister…

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Minister for Sport Catherine Martin popped along to officially unveil the new refurbished female Cue Sports Academy, Sharkx, Newbridge – recently.

The Academy has been undergoing a transformation and also recently, top professional player Fergal O’Brien has been coaching there sharing his 30 years of professional wisdom on the female cueists looking to develop further into the game and careers.

It has received support from the National Lottery Sports Capital Grant Programme and the Republic of Ireland Ladies Snooker Association has done some immense work behind the scenes developing the academy.

Martin paid tribute to the hard work going on there and wished them well for the future.

Chairman of RILSA, Dan Carroll, said: “This club is the heartbeat of the local community, which provides a social space for young and old of Newbridge and many people from neighboring counties. This facility must be supported by all of us and encourage everyone to visit and experience such a fantastic place, where dreams do come true for some who pursue a sporting career in cue sports.

This Female Cue Sports Academy facility is the first of its kind in Ireland and indeed, the World. We are delighted to have this space and the opportunity to develop, promote and foster female cue sports here in Ireland.”

The launch comes also in the week when female cue sports has been elevated to the top of the professional game with a new event on the professional calendar for the top four women players competing alongside the top four male players in the new World Mixed Doubles Event in September.

Carroll added that a Home Nations Snooker Challenge will take place there on 9^th July against a Northern Ireland team of 5 players taking on our team of Annette, Sandra, Margaret, Claire and Cathy

“I want to thank Fergal O’Brien for his support towards female cue sports. Fergal joined the coaching team recently and will be a fantastic asset in helping to improve the standard of our players.”

The Minister was then given a demo of how to play the game after cutting the ribbon to officially open the facility.