The Winchester played hosts to a junior Russian party chaperoned by Irina Gorbataya, who herself is a keen snooker player. The group were here to participate in the European Under 18 Snooker Tournament as well as to spend time at the South West Snooker Academy and to visit England.

Mark Selby volunteered his time to play all the juniors, whilst manager Mukesh Parmar and resident coach Alan Perkins helped in the coaching department.

Irina is hoping to develop relationships in the UK to help her establish a snooker academy in Russia and she is confident that snooker can become more popular in her home city of St Petersburg.

Local juniors from the Jester’s Snooker Academy based at The Winchester were also on hand to play the young Russian players.

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