I’m a 15 year old school boy from Paddock Wood in Kent. I attend Mascalls Academy and they have been very supportive with my snooker over the years. I started playing snooker around the age of 9 when my Dad saw me pot some long shots while we were on holiday. I remember my Dad saying when we got home ‘Right that’s it we need a snooker coach!’ and so it began…
What are your sporting achievements to date?
At age 11 I was the youngest winner of both the Kent Snooker Association (KCBSA) Under 16s and Under 21s trophies in the same year, which I believe was a record in Kent. I’ve been competing from age 10 and was lucky enough to represent England in 2022 in the Home Internationals (HIBSF), coming 2nd place in the overall player stats for Under 16s. And in 2023 I was selected to represent England in Malta for the European Snooker Association (EBSA) in both the Under 16s and Under 18s categories. I also appeared for England later that year at the Home Internationals once again, this time managing to win the Best Team prize for England A Team and to take 1st place in the individual player stats for Under 16s.
How has the FANS scheme helped you reach where you are now?
The FANS scheme has been brilliant in many ways, firstly to provide part-funding to allow me to travel during the snooker season where I have travelled to Malta, Ukraine and in 2024, we plan to compete in the World Juniors in Albania. Secondly the scheme has helped me to reduce the cost of using the gym at Putlands in Paddock Wood. Without the FANS Scheme and the FANS small grant (for those in full time education), these things just wouldn’t be possible.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
Well the future is never guaranteed, but naturally, the plan is to turn professional one day and tournaments like the World Juniors in Albania 2024 is just one of the possible pathways to my dream goal!
Thank you Dylan for sharing your story. We wish you all the best and look forward to following your sporting journey.
If you’d like to support Dylan on his journey, please visit his Crowdfunder page.
