Snooker legend Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins claimed in a recent interview with the Telegraph that modern youth aren’t interested in snooker and are instead more interested in high technology. We decided to challenge this view when choosing a social event for our current trainees contracted through the Foundation Placement Scheme (FPS). Tabrona, a charity consultancy based in Leeds, currently works with Screen Yorkshire to deliver media traineeships to people from Ethnic Minority backgrounds. In preparation for the annual scheme celebration event it was decided to challenge Alex Higgins opinion and hold a snooker event at The National Snooker Centre in Leeds. Both male and female trainees participated, all from differing cultural backgrounds and age groups.

Before the event a small number of trainees said that they had enjoyed playing snooker socially but had never taken much interest because it was more complicated than an easier and more relaxed game of pool. It seems most trainees felt that Snooker is a mature men’s sport, an idea which may perhaps come from watching the televised tournaments with predominately male players, this idea has possibly been a barrier to young people, girls in particular. Also many have avoided the sport as they have thought of it as being too complicated and serious due to the strict rules and level of concentration required.

Once trainees got to know the rules they found the sport interesting and many found there opinion on snooker completely changed. Some trainees commented that they found watching snooker on the television boring but playing had given them more of an interest, on the other hand many felt that having a better understanding of the sport fuelled their interest in watching it as well.

busted, we have actual shots of the rarely seen species commonly known as trainees.

Notice their surprise as they are caught in this shot feeding.

This is only a thumbnail. Real Images coming SOON!

This is just a quick question. Whate are your top 5 forums/ blog sites or websites for media related information, jobs, careers or current developments in the Media Industr??

Click on the post a comment link bleow and tell us what you think.

What is it about some training events or networking sessions that develops our skills in a way that a thousand books cannot? Is it merely the the quality of speakers and presenters or is it the topics that you want to learn about that make the event worthwhile? Is it the people that you meet who are also looking for direction that you jel with and learn together? Have you kept in touch with someone you met at an event in the past? Or is it the collection of minds in a room that create the learning, the discussion and the shared interest that sparks excitement?

Share your views here, comment on the events you have been to recently that inspired you. Are there any events you are planning to go to that simply cannot be missed? If so, what are they?

Click on the comment icon below to leave your ideas/ comments/ thoughts or questions.