LEN LAUNCHES NEW CUE SPORTS SCHEME

The scheme - which will run daily from next month onwards at Rafters - will give young people from the ages of 11 to 16 the chance to try their hand at games such as snooker and pool for as little as 1 per hour.

And the unique new project will also provide them with an opportunity to receive coaching from the club's top players including Irish champion Dylan Murray.

The idea was the brainchild of those behind the Paul Hunter Foundation, set up in honour of the snooker star who died in 2006 aged just 27.

The scheme has proved a phenomenal success on the UK mainland and Len - a key member of the Foundation - is certain it will enjoy similar results here.

"It has been very successful in England and we have had a great response," Len - who presided over four World Championship finals - told Times Sport.

"It is all about getting young people involved in the sport and developing the talent.

"We are also working in conjunction with the PSNI who are very supportive of the programme as it is an excellent way of taking young people off the streets.

"It is fantastic to get some of the top snooker talent in this country passing down their skills to the next generation.

"It's about harnessing the talent out there. The future of the game looks very, very bright."

The newly established Northern Ireland Cue Sports Players Association is also backing the scheme.

Uel Wylie of Rafters said he was looking forward to the sessions starting.

"I think it is an excellent idea," he said.

"There is a lot of interest in cue sports in Ballymoney and the surrounding areas so I'm sure it will prove very popular."

Rafters will be open for the special 8am to noon sessions at the weekends and young people will also be able to capitalise on the initiative during week days.

Coleraine's 147 club will also be taking part.

Len is willing to visit local schools in north Antrim to give talks on the coaching programmes. For more information contact Chris at the Times.

The aim of the Paul Hunter Foundation is to give disadvantaged, able bodied and disabled youngsters an opportunity to play snooker.

The specific aims of the charity are to fund local snooker activities across the UK and Ireland.

The organisation also intends to make facilities available for disabled children so they also have an opportunity to participate and use the facilities, thereby further reducing social exclusion in those areas.

Part of the coaching/training sessions that the organisation will provide will focus on educating children on the dangers of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour (e.g. drink, drugs) and on wider social issues (such as bullying and racism).

It is hoped that by educating children and raising their awareness of these issues that it will lead to improvements in their conditions of life and will have a positive impact on the community and will be in the interests of public welfare.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Rafters, Ballymoney.

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