11/09/08
Canadian Cliff Thorburn paid a surprise visit to the Paul Hunter Foundation / Y-not weekly road show at Cue Masters Snooker Club in Accrington.

Thorburn who was the 1980 World Snooker champion and made the first ever 147 break at the famous Crucible Theatre took part in various snooker games, one of which was won by George McQuade of Baxenden who was presented with a trophy by Cliff.

All who attended were then treated to a ball by ball commentary by cliff of his famous 147 break before Jake Loftus was the lucky draw winner who played Cliff at pool. 12 year old Jake from Darwen amazingly beat the former world champion and was presented with a Paul Hunter snooker cue.

Chris Lovell, NLTG’s e2e manager and Paul Hunter Foundation representative said, “Everybody had a fantastic evening and Cliff showed why he is the true sportsman that he is.”

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Paul Rinaldi is one of the Foundation’s leading coaches. Paul has been involved with snooker for almost 30 years. Paul says, “When I was 18 years old I started playing for Burnley Town team. I used to go to World No.2 Tony Knowles for coaching and through his help I started to make 100 breaks.

I’ve always been able to pot balls and build big breaks. I started to practice more and won numerous competitions around the area. I went out to play in Canada for a few seasons where I did okay.

I made my first competitive 147 break with the referee being the same on who refereed the Canadian championship final. I’ve made well over 1000 100 breaks but not sure how many.

I’ve made the maximum 147 in practice and in competitive snooker, which is the highlight of my snooker.”

“I own Padiham Snooker Centre. I became a W.P.B.S.A. Snooker Grade A coach in 2008 and now work alongside fellow coach, Chris Lovell, ‘the brainchild of the Paul Hunter Foundation’. Although I don’t really play snooker any more I’m involved helping kids and improving their games with my snooker experience. I’ve done it now for ten years, it’s very satisfying to watch these young kids work up the ladder from 20 breaks upwards.”

“I’ve always been able to interact with kids and by having a laugh and making playing snooker fun. Plus playing against them has kept my interest as well. In sport and snooker it’s all about winning but if you can set your goals and reach them, that’s all that matters.

I made my century, then 147, and played as a pro for a few years. I know there were, and are, thousands of players better than I am, or was. That does not bother me, I’m more than happy with the slice of cake I was given. Happy snooker and keep playing.”

PAUL RINALDI

WBPSA COACH