Snooker seniors seek tour sponsorship

Organisers of a new global Seniors Snooker tour, which have signed up the sport’s leading senior professionals, are seeking sponsors for the event – which launches at the end of May.

Top stars, including former world champions Steve Davis, Ray Reardon, Terry Griffiths and Cliff Thorburn, have agreed to play in the tour, which is backed by the sport’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association (WPBSA).

To be eligible to compete, players must be over 40, be a winner of a ranked WPBSA tournament and have held a top 16 position in the world rankings.

Seniors Snooker has been set up by two businessmen, Peter Bainbridge and Ralph Holt, following the success of seniors events in other sports, such as golf and tennis. They have hired M&C Saatchi Sponsorship to lead the hunt for commercial partners and sponsors. The agency is looking to attract a family of associates, but the number of packages has yet to be finalised. Negotiations with broadcasters, including the BBC, are at an advanced stage.

The series launches at the end of next month with the Seniors Masters Invitational at the Royal Automobile Club in London – and will include a Seniors World Championship later in the year.