Our National Coach PJ Nolan held his final SBI / Aaron Hill Elite Squad training day for our talented young stars in the Snooker & Billiards Academy of Excellence in Carlow on Saturday the 24th October. PJ announced last week of his resignation and SBI wish him continued success in whatever role he moves on too.
SBI President Jim Leacy was in attendance today to watch the camp. Jim was so impressed with the talent on show and he said that SBI will really miss PJ’s development of the game but wished PJ good luck for the future.
Snooker & Billiards Ireland would like to thank our Junior Snooker Sponsor Clancy Homes for their continued support. On the day, the players on the Elite Squad were coached by PJ. This camp will be about getting the players to understand how to practice better and how to record their scores in their own training booklet. The players all wore their Elite Squad polo shirts.
During the day SBI held hold a number of various mini events for the players with a break building challenge and a tactical challenge. The scoring challenge was won by Aaron Donnelly while Cathal Horgan won the Tactical Challenge both players received a 147academy award.
National Coach PJ Nolan said ” He was delighted with the squad attitudes which bodes well for their future development of the squad ” He wished them all continued success and that it was an honour to be the SBI Head Coach and he thanked Ed Donnelly and Nigel Cooke for all their hard work on junior development.
2026 Elite Squad
18’s – Dermot Kelly, Joe Shannon. Aaron Donnelly and Lorcán Ó Curraoin
16’s – Cathal Horgan, Liam Dunne, James Stewart O’Reilly and Scott Cooke
14’s – Rowan Kelly, James Brennan, Callum Behan and Paddy King
Players on the Elite Squad receive:
- Elite Squad Group Sessions in SBI HQ during 2026-2027 season
- Three ”free one to one ” private Coaching Session in the SBI HQ for the 2026-2027 season
- Free Entry into any Amateur Events for the 2026-2027 season
- Free Entry into any Century Events for the 2026-2027 season
- Elite Squad Clothing Polo Shirts / Hoodies
- Group sit down with Aaron Hill at one of the training days
- Training Booklets & Training Plans throughout season.
- Mind Coach Session with Squad
Earlier this year Aaron Hill sent a Video to the players. He said that his snooker journey started when he was part of the 2019 RIBSA Elite Squad. He said he is looking forward to watching them all practice very soon and to believe him themselves.
Aaron Hill ” said he is delighted to have my name on this Elite Squad. I know all the players have a lot of talent and i am sure they will improve more next sean. I remember being part of the RIBSA Elite Squad in 2019 and i know first hand that you will get great advice on how to practice and improve.
