South West Snooker Academy

Summary

The South West Snooker Academy (or the Capital Venue) is located in Gloucester Business Park. It was purposely built for snooker in July 2010 but is now home to the owner Paul Mount's business MIUS.[1]

South West Snooker Academy

History edit

The South West Snooker Academy opened in 2010, with an exhibition match between Jimmy White and Tony Drago, both players who were managed by the Academy's owner Paul Mount. The venue had thirteen full-size snooker tables, a match arena with over 300 tiered seats, and a commentary box.[2] Between the years of 2010 and 2013 the academy hosted World Snooker events such as the UK Players Tour Championship Events and World Ranking Qualifiers. But due to poor support and expenses in the summer of 2014 the layout of the building changed moving all tables upstairs in one match area and removing the arena replacing the entire downstairs with offices for MIUS.

Professionals still practicing there included Robert Milkins, Michael Wasley and Daniel Wells. The venue hosted annual tournaments such as the Pink Ribbon Pro-Am & MIUS Cup (European Under 18's Championship).[3]

In 2019 the closure of the academy was announced.[4][5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Official site". Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  2. ^ "South West Academy opens". Snooker Scene. November 2010. pp. 10–11.
  3. ^ "South West Snooker Academy". My Snooker Stats. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  4. ^ Caulfield, David. "South West Snooker Academy Announces Closure". Snooker HQ. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  5. ^ Jones, Melissa (20 September 2019). "Owner of major Gloucestershire sporting venue announces its shock closure". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.

51°48′55.8″N 2°16′22.5″W / 51.815500°N 2.272917°W / 51.815500; -2.272917