Last week my 147academy I held my final training camp for the Polish National snooker team in the Masters Snooker Club in the beautiful city of Luben in Poland. This camp was to guide the Polish players with coaching and set out a training plan for the upcoming EBSA Championships which will be held in Poland in February 2016. In attendance were Mateusz Baranjowski, Patryk Maslowski, Karol Lelek , Krzysztof Wróbel, Pawel Rogoza, Michal Kotiuk, Bartek Utkowski, Rafal Szymanek, Antek Kowalski and lady player Anna Topyla. Belgian International player Tomek Skalski was also invited to attend as he was on holiday in Poland and all the players put on a great display in the camp that was organised by the Polish Billiards & Snooker Association.
Such is the popularity of Snooker in Poland a TV Crew came in to interview me about the camp and the players on how they felt the training camp had went.
The players practiced my Break Building, Long Potting, Safety Routines and Mini Games from 10am to 6pm each day and all the regular national team players were again very good but I was very impressed with the new up and coming juniors like Michal Kotiuk, Antek Kowalski, Rafal Szymanek and Bartek Utkowski. They are improving so much each month and the development is going good for the future of the game in Poland.
Day 1
Top Break Building scores were Tomek Skalski with a 135 (Thailand Break), 124 (Maguire Break), Pawel Rogoza 135 (Maguire break), Mateusz Baranjowski102 (Thailand Break), 100 (Maguire Break). The Long potting winner was Pawel Rogoza with a total of 44 pots from 54 shots on the six routines. Long Straight Blues 8 out of 9, Long Angle Blues 7 out of 9, Long Yellow 8 out of 9, Long Green 7 out of 9, Long Pink 6 out of 9, Long Straight Red/Black 8 out of 9. We also worked on the tactical side of the game with crucial mini games and safety routines to work on their game as this is a key area I believe they need if they want to be more successful.
Day 2
Top Break Building scores were Krzysztof Wróbel with 100 (X Break) and 103 (Max Break), Patryk Maslowski 103 (X Break), 127 (Max Break) 123 (Maguire Break), Karol Lelek 115 (X Break), Pawel Rogoza 112 (Shovel break), Mateusz Baranjowski 112 (Shovel Break), Tomek Skalski 129 (Maguire Break), 101 (Ireland Break), 107 (Walden Break), Michal Kotiuk 105 (Bingham Break) and Antek Kowalski 96 (Maguire Break)and98 (Bingham Break). Krzysztof Wróbel won the cue ball control challenge with a number of great breaks focusing on the Blue and Black and Pawel Rogoza won the match play challenge when all the players played in a round robin challenge.
Day 3
Top Break Building scores were Patryk Maslowski with 117 (Maguire Break) 106 (Star Break), 106 (Walden Break), 107 (Bingham Break), Michal Kotiuk 105 (Star Break), Karol Lelek 109 (Ireland Break), Pawel Rogoza 124 (O Brien break) and Krzysztof Wróbel 137 (Walden Break). The Long potting winner again was Pawel Rogoza with a total of 43 pots from 54 shots on the six routines. Long Straight Blues 7 out of 9, Long Angle Blues 8 out of 9, Long Yellow 7 out of 9, Long Green 7 out of 9, Long Pink 7 out of 9, Long Straight Red/Black 7 out of 9. The match – play winner was Krzysztof Wróbel after a great display of tactical snooker when the players played a round robin challenge.
Day 4
Top Break Building scores were Karol Lelek with 124 (Wexford Break), Krzysztof Wróbel 111 (Bow-Tie Break), 123 (Army Break), Pawel Rogoza 106 (Nenagh break). Day four was also about analysing the videos of their playing techniques. Each players received a technique profile outlining their weak areas that needs to be worked on. I also focused on their safety game with new practice drills to help them prepare for EBSA Championship in February.
All the players received a DVD with their videos of their techniques and best breaks along with Sports Psychology audio to work on their mind fitness plus the new training program. The overall performance was fantastic by all the Polish players and I hope my camps will develop their games even more for the future. The players were a pleasure to train and I wish Team Poland the best of luck for the future and i really enjoyed my time coaching them.
I would like to thank EBSA Coach Mateusz Nowak for all his assistance and support during my time as National Coach and to Marisuz Sikorska Vice Chairman and Piotr Murat Chairman of the Polish Billiards & Snooker Association for inviting me to train the Polish players and finally a big thank you to the Masters Snooker Club for hosting this camp.
