By Elliott West
“These events are very important, because without them you can’t forge a career in the professional game. It’s good to play on a national level, to push yourself and use it to prepare for going pro.”
Paul Deaville
Introduction
Away from the cut and thrust of the usual suspects on the main tour, a new band of snooker players are slowly emerging through the ranking system. One such hopeful and player who is starting to become a leading light of the younger generation is the 16-year-old Paul Deaville. Paul who now lives in the West Midlands has already won the Under 14s title in 2018 and the English Under-16 Championship at the beginning of August, now one of two players nominated by the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards to play at this week’s English Open in Milton Keynes.
The Hot Shot
Paul who was originally supposed to play Mark Williams in his opening match, sadly couldn’t because the Welsh snooker legend was struck down with Covid and had to rush into isolation. A disappointment because Paul idolises Williams and said previously of the proposed encounter that it would be a dream come true, becoming a reality rather than an aspiration.
Despite this initial upset, Deaville hasn’t let it spoil his first stab at the big time. Thanks to massive family support, the Blackpool born player has remained grounded and not distracted, giving him a taste of what it would be like being a professional on the main tour. A blast that is already producing fruits from his labour. Unlike the other invitee Oliver Sykes who lost 1-4 to Allan Taylor in the first round, Deaville has already defeated Mark Lloyd 4-0, Chang Bingyu 4-3 and Zhao Xintong 4-3, a match which went into the early hours of the morning and one where he ousted his Chinese opponent on the final pink and now faces Mark King in round three.
The Dream
Paul’s dream aside from going deep into the English Open or ultimately winning it is to become a professional player. He has already tried, playing in the cutthroat Q School in 2020 but failing to win a match, an attempt that still gained this young rookie valuable experience. It is all part and parcel of taking that gigantic leap from the amateur to the professional circuit but certainly not an easy one and one that is definitely a snooker minefield.
Deaville has nothing to lose at the English Open but everything to gain. His wins have caused the media to take notice of this player and people are starting to talk about him, most importantly outside the circuit walls. The young player who has been confined to the outside tables up to this point may still play centre stage and whatever happens in his next match against Mark King, he can leave with his head held high and a spring in his step, leaving the tournament with a guaranteed £7,500 if he loses, big money for a player so young.
