Grant funding helps create world-class snooker stars of the future

Up and coming snooker stars are on cue for a bright future thanks to snooker champion Terry Griffiths, and a little help from Carmarthenshire County Council.

World champion Terry Griffiths has developed a 21st Century coaching software package known as Snooker Lab – the first ever technical analysis software dedicated to snooker development.

His creation, which is expected to revolutionise snooker coaching and development, has been helped along its way by a £4,646 grant from the South West Wales Local Investment Fund (LIF), aimed at helping small and medium sized companies in south west Wales.

The fund is being led by Carmarthenshire in partnership with neighbouring authorities in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Neath Port Talbot, along with the West Wales Chamber of Commerce.

Grants of up to £5,000 are being offered, with equipment, premises improvement, one-off marketing costs, website development and specialist software all eligible.

The grant will enable Terry Griffiths Snooker to purchase computer equipment, high speed cameras, lighting and development costs for the company’s new website, www.terrygriffithssnooker.com, which will launch shortly.
“The grant will allow us to launch Terry Griffiths Snooker as the leading provider of snooker coaching services in the world,” said Terry, who was awarded an OBE for services to sport in 2007.

“The new website will offer snooker coaching videos, a snooker forum, an online snooker shop, sports holidays and access to remote coaching with myself via the internet from anywhere in the world.”

Terry became aware of the LIF through the council’s Flexible Support for Business scheme, and would recommend it to other businesses looking for financial support.

“It has become more and more important for our business that we continue make the most of the considerable support structure the Welsh Assembly Government and the Local Authorities have on offer.

“Investment and progress are essential in the current economic climate if we are to enjoy a long term future for our business.

“Unfortunately, the same economic climate makes it very difficult at this time to provide all the funding and expertise required for expansion.

“Without the sort of financial support and expert advice offered by projects like the LIF, we certainly would be a long way short of where we are now in terms of this exciting new project.”

The £19.3 million LIF scheme has received £8.9million of European Convergence funding.

Over the next six years, 1,000 jobs are expected to be created, 1,400 companies supported and 400 new enterprises set up.

Simon Richards, business services manager, said: “This investment is helping to strengthen the economic base of this region by creating jobs, improving business competitiveness and by bringing increased prosperity to the region.”

Carmarthenshire’s executive board member for regeneration, Cllr Clive Scourfield, added: “It’s very exciting that we are able to help talented people like Terry Griffiths to develop their businesses, especially during these tough financial times. We wish Terry all the best, and will watch the launch of his new coaching software with interest.”

For further information about the grants, please call the Local Investment Fund Team on 01267 242391, or email lif@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

For further information about Terry Griffiths Snooker, visit www.terrygriffithsmatchroom.com (available on www.terrygriffithssnooker.com later this year).

Photograh: Terry Griffiths and Wayne Griffiths make use of the new Snooker Lab software, developed with the help of a Local Investment Fund grant. By Jeff Connell