This week two Spanish Snooker Coaches travelled to the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club in Ireland which is the EBSA Centre of Excellence to receive training from PJ Nolan in becoming qualified European Snooker Association Coaches.
The EBSA Coaching Course is only open to recognised coaches who are approved by their own National Governing Body. The Spanish Snooker Association had nominated Ander Isuskizaand Aram Bernausto receive coaching from PJ who is the EBSA head coach. PJ’s role is to train coaches on behalf of the European Billiards & Snooker Association in promoting the game all across Europe.
The EBSA Snooker Coaching syllabus includes practical exams as well as verbal and written exams covering all the techniques and skills of coaching the game of snooker. The course in Carlow was a private course covering all aspects of the game from Planning Sessions, Designing Routines, Role of a Coach, Sports Psychology, Rules of the Game, Practice Exercises, Getting out of and laying Snookers, Written Records, Safety Play, Shot Selection, Oral Assessment, Preparation for Match- Play, Physical and Mental Etiquette and on the final day they completed the EBSA coaching written exam.
During their practical exam PJ invited Carlow players Colvin O Brien and Corey Ramsbottom when both coaches designed a training session around them with a selection of training drills and coaching advice.
Aram began to play pool ten years ago In Catalonia. Aram is a Blackball International 8 Ball pool player playing in three World Championships and Three European Championships. He also competed in the Amateur Spanish Snooker Championship in 2009 and was the runner up to qualify to play in the 2009 European Snooker Championship in Romania. Two years ago he started to coach snooker and blackball players and created his web site on www.blackballfarm.com
Aram said : I had the four greatest days of my life. I learned more than I expected. PJ is one of the best snooker communicators I ever seen. The Ivy Rooms is a great place to see how snooker is played in Ireland.
Ander began to watch snooker on TV over ten years ago and that is when his interest in coaching started. He decided to create a Spanish snooker blog in 2009 www.snooker147blog.com. His love of the game meant he wanted to learn as much as possible about the game. He has already translated Steve Davis’ ‘Successful Snooker’ into Spanish. Ander is also in charge of the promotion of the Spanish Amateur League and he competes regular in all their events.
Ander said : I had no doubt PJ Nolan would be the best to teach me how to become a top coach and he definitely lived up to my expectations. We went through every aspect of the game: Playing Techniques, Designing Routines, Psychology, Match – play. I feel now I have the tools and knowledge to go back to Spain and increase the standard of our players.
Jim Leacy current president of the IBSF was on hand to congratulate them both on passing the first part of his exam. He is delighted to see Spain sending two coaches to become EBSA Coaches and the number of EBSA Coaches will reach thirteen with full EBSA accreditation later on this year. Ander and Aram now begin their probation period where they will both complete all the necessary assignments in Spain to graduate in becoming a fully accredited EBSA Coaches.
If you would like to become a EBSA Coach you need to contact your own National Governing Body in writing and request them to officially contact Maxime Cassis in the EBSA nominating you to attend a course. Full details are on www.ebsa.tv web site. PJ said he was very impressed with both coaches knowledge and they have a great hunger to learn new skills. They have already proven they are good coaches in Spain but becoming a qualified EBSA Coach will now give Spain a better chance in developing the game more to produce top players in the future. It was a great pleasure training them and I wish them good luck with their coaching.
