Jamie Clarke Represents Wales

A Matchroom member has become the youngest player in the Welsh under 16 snooker team. Jamie Clarke (pictured below wearing his Welsh Representative level waistcoat) has won a place in the national side at the age of only 12. It makes him one of the youngest snooker players to represent his country.

To secure a place in the team Jamie had to compete in four national ranking events, held around the country in the past year. The Coedcae pupil has just received his official blazer and waistcoat from the WBSA. He is now practising hard for the home internationals which will be played in Prestatyn in September and has already scored his first century break.

Jamie has played in friendly matches for the Wales under-14 team for the past two years. But it is the under 16 team which is seen as the first representative level in snooker. The achievement comes just a year after Jamie won the Welsh under 14s ranking tournament, beating players three years older than himself to take the title.

Earlier this year he became the youngest winner of the Llanelli and District Doubles Tournament, along with his coach Wayne Griffiths. He was selected as the first player of distinction at the Terry Griffiths Matchroom three years ago.

Club manager and Welsh coach Wayne Griffiths spotted his potential and enrolled him on the pioneering scheme, which aims to nurture young talent and catapult them up the junior snooker ranks.

Wayne has been delighted with Jamie’s success.

He said: “I am very impressed with Jamie’s performance. To have secured a place at under 16 level at the age of 12 is a fantastic effort.

“His preparation for the Home Internationals has been very good and his confidence will be boosted by the fact that he has just made the first century break of his career. I am sure it will not be his last!”

Matchroom owner and former World Champion, Terry Griffiths has also been impressed with Jamie’s progress.

He said: “Jamie’s ongoing success is a testament to his natural ability and the hard work he puts in on the practice table. Everyone at the Matchroom is very proud of his achievements.”