Quote from markd on May 3, 2026, 11:14 am

Hi folks

First of all, I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed getting back into snooker after a lengthly layoff & thanks to those that helped me back into the game.

Like may of you, I've enjoyed watching the snooker on telly recently. It seems like the Pro game is doing really well but the local scene is struggling what with declining numbers. I saw the post from Mark Davis re the poor turnout at the NOS final & am a little embarrassed that I didn't attend (in my defence the publicity of local snooker events isn't great).

Anyway I'll cut to the chase. Like Mark, I'm worried that the local scene will disappear altogether unless we do something about it. Perhaps new thinking is required.

I typed the following into ChatGTP - "Suggest how we can increase the popularity and visibility of amateur snooker in the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire area". It came back with some very interesting insights & suggestions (see below), many of which I think are doable & common sense.

Just thought I'd share this to spark some conversation. By the way, I note that the local Pool scene does many of these things already.

Amateur snooker in Aberdeen isn’t starting from zero—but it is fragmented and under-promoted. There are venues like Rileys Sports Bar, The Snooker Club, The Ambassador Snooker Club and The Sportsman's Club, plus an organised league via the Aberdeen Licensed Clubs Billiards & Snooker Association. But visibility is low and the ecosystem feels disconnected .

Here’s how you can realistically grow popularity and participation:

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1) Fix the visibility problem first (low-hanging fruit)

Right now, people don’t know where or how to play. Even local Reddit threads show confusion and a perception of limited options or ageing venues.

What to do:

• Create a single “Aberdeen Snooker Hub”:
  • Simple website + Instagram/TikTok
  • List venues, leagues, beginner sessions, prices, contacts
• Partner with the ALCBSA site but modernise outreach (short-form video, reels, highlights)
• Post:
  • Weekly “Where to play this week”
  • Break-of-the-week clips
  • Player spotlights

👉 This alone can increase participation quickly—discoverability is the bottleneck.

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2) Rebrand snooker from “old & smoky” → social & competitive

Community sentiment suggests some venues feel dated or intimidating.

Practical changes:

• Run “Friday Night Snooker Socials” (music, lights slightly brighter, casual formats)
• Introduce:
  • Fast formats (e.g. 6-reds, 1-frame shootouts)
  • Doubles nights (less pressure for beginners)
• Encourage venues like Rileys Sports Bar to:
  • Refresh visuals (lighting, branding)
  • Promote snooker equally alongside pool and sports bar appeal

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3) Build a clear pathway for beginners

One of the biggest drop-off points is intimidation.

Introduce:

• “Learn Snooker in 4 Weeks” programmes
• Beginner-only leagues (handicap-based)
• Free or discounted first sessions at places like The Sportsman's Club (membership clubs can feel exclusive otherwise)

👉 Key idea: remove the “you need to be good already” barrier.

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4) Youth pipeline = long-term survival

Grassroots snooker struggles when young players don’t enter the system (a widely discussed issue in the sport).

Actions:

• Partner with:
  • Schools
  • Colleges (Robert Gordon, University of Aberdeen)
• Offer:
  • After-school snooker clubs
  • Inter-school leagues
• Subsidise junior table time (through sponsorship or council grants)

👉 Historically, clubs were the talent pipeline—rebuild that locally.

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5) Make leagues more engaging (not just functional)

The ALCBSA already tracks fixtures/results, but that’s not “exciting” content.

Upgrade leagues with:

• Live scoring / storylines (“title race”, “top break leaderboard”)
• Player rankings & profiles
• End-of-season finals night (with audience + streaming)

👉 Turn it into a spectator-friendly local sport.

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6) Use venues better (they’re under-leveraged assets)

Aberdeen has multiple small venues—but they operate in silos.

Coordinate:

• Inter-club competitions:
  • The Snooker Club vs The Sportsman's Club nights
• “Aberdeen Snooker Tour”:
  • Monthly rotating events at different venues
• Shared promotions instead of competing quietly

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7) Bring in casual players via crossover formats

Snooker competes with pool, darts, and social bars.

Smart crossover ideas:

• Pool → snooker transition nights at Rileys Sports Bar
• “Try Snooker” events for pool players
• Mixed cue-sports leagues (pool + snooker formats)

👉 Convert existing cue-sports players rather than starting from scratch.

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8) Events + storytelling = visibility spike

You need moments, not just weekly play.

Run:

• Exhibition nights (invite a Scottish pro or coach)
• Charity tournaments
• “147 challenge” or high-break prizes
• Stream finals on YouTube / Twitch

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9) Fix access barriers (quiet killer issue)

From community discussions:

• Membership confusion
• Cost perception
• Limited public access hours

Solutions:

• Clear pricing guides online
• “Pay & Play” sessions (no membership)
• Off-peak discounts

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10) Sponsorship & local partnerships

Snooker is cheap to run relative to many sports—this is an advantage.

Target:

• Local pubs/breweries
• Oil & gas companies (Aberdeen-specific angle)
• Universities

Offer:

• Naming rights for leagues
• Branding on events/social media

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What will actually move the needle fastest?

If you only do 3 things, do these:

1. Centralised digital presence (fix discoverability)
2. Beginner-friendly leagues/programmes
3. Regular social-format events (make it fun, not formal)

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If you want, I can sketch a concrete 6-month rollout plan (with budget, partners, and example event calendar tailored to Aberdeen).

Cheers

Mark