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Inspirational Story
Joe Bell

Firstly, what an amazing inspiring young person Joe Bell is. Joe joined our Disability snooker group in 2017, it was the first time Joe had ever picked up a snooker cue, but he took to the game straight away.

Joe was a shy young lad at first, but he had such enthusiasm to learn how to play the game. He wanted to know everything about the sport; how to strike the ball correctly, how to understand the rules of the game and how to get the correct stance.
Learning these skills, along with meeting other children at the academy has helped to build Joe’s confidence in the game and in meeting new people. After a few weeks of attending the academy, Joe made a few close friends who he plays against regularly. From the start it has been clear that Joe is a determined individual; he constantly practices during sessions and focuses on improving his game.

Joe progressed so much within just one year at the academy and has reached many great achievements. In 2018 Joe enrolled on our UK Snooker Awards programme and in August 2018 he passed all six awards and he is now one of our volunteer snooker coaches. This means he gets involved teaching the younger children at our sessions, showing them how to play and passing on the skills he has learned over the last two years.

Another one of Joe’s amazing achievements was winning the National Junior Disability Snooker Championships 2018! Through his tireless practicing and dedication to the game Joe made it to the final and won the trophy.

At first, Joe’s nan used to bring him to the club, but over time he has found the confidence to use public transport and now travels independently to sessions. Joe’s nan said “Before playing snooker, Joe didn’t get out of the house much so it’s great he’s involved in something he likes to do. He is more active now which is a good thing and he is certainly becoming more confident, this is just what he needs.

Joe loves the game so much he wanted to play more. What is incredible is that he now plays in two snooker leagues in the evening and travels independently around Sheffield on the bus to get to the venues to play his matches. He is the captain of one team which means his role involves attending monthly league meetings and arranging five players to play in the weekly matches. This is fantastic that Joe has the confidence to do all these things. Who would have thought that by just coming for a game of snooker, it wold bring such confidence to his everyday life.

Joe said “I love to play the game, it relaxes me and makes me feel good, You know when you win it’s a great feeling and even sometimes if I lose it makes me want to practice more to get better, I like helping Steve out at the club, I have some friends there. I want to get better and play in the A division one day; we’re in the C division at the moment, I want to start making bigger breaks, but I know that will come with more practice. This year I have also entered the Sheffield Championship and the Marshall cup. I would like to be more confident in general so I think by entering these events that will help me. The Academy has been a great help, if I hadn't joined the Disability Snooker Group I probably would have never picked up a cue and would have been stuck in the house not doing much. I have also found out the league is not just played in the winter they also have a summer league so I’ll get the chance to play all year round.”

The academy are very proud of Joe and delighted with his progress. Through his own efforts and determination he has found a way to overcome his difficulties. His interest and enthusiasm for this accessible sport will help to shape his future. Enjoying and sharing a sport with others is both pleasurable and unifying. We feel privileged to have helped Joe to learn how to play snooker and to understand the finer aspects of the game which continues to fire up his idealism and pleasure in the sport.
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Academy Supporters
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Letter of support from a parent whose son attends The Stephen Harrison Academy

We are sending this email to give you feedback on the service the Stephen Harrison Academy provides for our son. He has been attending the Academy now for 2 years, he has a diagnosis of ADHD and ASD along with attachment disorder. The impact on our family of him being able to access this facility has been amazing and we can honestly say that without it we don't know where we as a family would be today.
 
Steve himself has a fantastic personality and a gift for working with these children, he is amazing with everyone connected with the Academy the children, staff and parents. He has an amazing persona, he is patient, understanding, caring, professional and passionate about snooker and its positive effects it can have for everyone, especially for anyone with a disability.
 
Before attending the Academy our son found it hard to form friendships, had self-esteem issues, would not communicate very positively with people, would not give eye contact, struggled with his attachment issues. Whilst attending these sessions we know find that he has become more independent finds he has "common ground" with his peers and friends and family members by challenging them to games of snooker/pool whilst at school and socially has had more confidence to communicate with other people, especially those involved with the club he now volunteers in the school holidays one day a week helping book children and parents in, cleaning down the table etc he has something constructive to look forward to on a Saturday he has learnt a new skill, which he will now have for life he has made lots of new friends he has built an amazing admiration for Steve and sees him as a confidant and mentor, he has on several occasions talked to Steve about issues that have been causing him stress mainly at school and Steve has dealt with these issues effectively and positively even though his self-esteem is something he still struggles with this has improved since he has been at the Academy he has been interviewed on the local radio and TV promoting snooker and the Academy (something we would never have believed he would or could have done) he has for the first time in the recent 6 weeks holiday successfully met a school friend independently to play snooker at a local snooker hall it also gives ourselves some very much needed respite as at times it can be very demanding physically and mentally dealing with a child with the complex needs that our son has, enabling us to re-charge and "carry on" it gives him something positive to look forward to in the 6 weeks holiday and some much needed routine.

We cannot stress how grateful we are for all that Steve does for our son and others by giving them the opportunity to have somewhere to go that they love, feel a part of and to feel included whilst learning a life-long skill. Especially in their teenage years which can be a difficult time for any child despite having a disability as well. The time and effort and passion that Steve puts into the Academy is something that we as parents admire and are very grateful.

Helen and Ash Garner


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growing grassroots disability snooker

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Help us raise £40,000 for a new snooker centre.

Layout of proposed plan for new snooker centre.
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Ray Harrison, 1985 World Paraplegic Snooker Champion.
 
1985 Gold Medal
1984 Bronze Medal
1983 Bronze Medal
1982 Silver Medal


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