Snooker Stars Pullen and O’Connor Inspire Belfast School Pupils

Professional snooker players Liam Pullen and Joe O’Connor visited Lough View Integrated Primary School in Belfast on Monday to introduce Year Six pupils to the sport, World Snooker Tour reported.

A Belfast Classroom Gets a Cue-Action Masterclass

The 21-year-old Pullen from England and 30-year-old O’Connor fielded questions from the students regarding their entry into professional competition and their progression to the tour.

Following the question-and-answer session, the players demonstrated basic technique and cue action for potting a ball on a half-size Star table. Pullen won a shortened exhibition frame against O’Connor during the visit.

Pullen and O'Connor Inspire Students with Snooker Fundamentals

Before distributing autograph cards and ‘How to Play Snooker’ posters, the professionals engaged with the students on the fundamentals of the game.

Pullen reflected on his own early start in the sport.

It was a cool thing to do and surreal because it’s only ten years since I was at primary school! Hopefully we can inspire a few of them. I first picked up a cue when I was six, I got a little table for Christmas. There’s something magical about potting balls, you get that love of the game inside. I was impressed by some of the cue actions today.

The Push for Early Youth Athletic Engagement

O’Connor noted the reception from the Belfast pupils and the importance of early enjoyment in athletics.

They were a really good bunch of kids and I think they enjoyed it. When you first start playing, it’s just about enjoying the game. If one of them goes home today and tells their mum and dad that they want to play snooker, that’s a positive.

Finding Local Pathways for Young Athletes

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