Lee Whaley
KING’S Cross potter Lee Whaley believes “practice and support” are the secrets behind his phenomenal success at the snooker table this season.
The 17-year-old, who lives in Marylebone, pocketed his fifth winner’s trophy of the campaign in the Cuestars Under-21s Silver Tour at the start of the month.
Lee’s latest final victory came courtesy of a 2-0 win over Riley Ellis, from Wiltshire, at Greenbaize Snooker Club in Bournemouth.
On collecting his prize the cue ace chalked up his success to the support of his family and John Woods, his coach at Gone-2-Pot, a snooker club for youngsters which is based at the Hurricane Room in King’s Cross.
“Something just clicked, I don’t know what it was,” said Lee, who is studying BTEC science at Westminster Kingsway College.
“All the practice I’m doing is paying off.
Jaydon Elliott and John Donovan
“My family helped me as well, making me practise a bit more, and John’s been with me all the way through.”
The Cuestars Tour is aimed at giving grassroots players the chance to perfect their game by competing in 10 tournaments across the south of England each season.
Depending on ability, there is a gold, silver and bronze tour.
Champion-elect Lee has already secured promotion to the top tier next season, boasting a 58-point lead over Gone-2-Pot clubmate Elliott Johnson on the leaders’ board.
Another Gone-2-Pot prodigy, John Donovan, also celebrated success in Bournemouth after defeating Jaydon Elliott from Swindon in the Plate final.
John, aged 13, who lives in Somers Town, is also making a name for himself on the Silver Tour, sitting fifth out of 20 players.
It’s his first season competing at the higher level after winning the Bronze Tour Championship last season.
