Ben Woollaston still hopes to have a successful career as a player on the World Snooker Tour, but has found coaching to be a rewarding sideline as he enjoys seeing amateurs improve under his tuition.
The 36-year-old first gained his WPBSA Coaching badge back in 2010 and is now putting more emphasis on giving back to the sport he loves.
He coaches primarily on a Star table at Breakers Snooker Club in his home city of Leicester and welcomes players of all ages and abilities.
“I enjoy working with beginners because you can see them making progress quickly, but I also coach good league players. It gives me a lot of satisfaction - I have always been a student of the game and I enjoy passing on that knowledge," said world number 57 Woollaston.
“We have a roll-up junior course on Saturdays for players around eight to 16, which runs for four hours from 9.30am, and it’s good to see the young talent improving.
“I still see myself as a player first and foremost. But there is usually time to fit coaching in and around practising and events. And looking to the future, I will always want to be involved in snooker in some way.”
Since 2021, Woollaston has suffered from chronic fatigue, and at times the illness has left him barely able to stand up, let alone compete on the tour. As he recently told BBC Leicester, his health has improved in recent months and that has led to better results, notably a run to the last 32 of the MrQ UK Championship.
“I’m not back to normal but I am able to practise more now,” said the 2015 Welsh Open finalist. “I have been working with Peter Ebdon since November and I have seen an improvement. No one knows more about snooker than Peter and he has opened my eyes to a few things. Hopefully I can finish the season strongly.”
To book Ben for coaching lessons, contact woollaston147@hotmail.co.uk or 07518 889336