Watch: ‘Criminally unlucky’ in-off sets Doherty on way to Shoot Out victory
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Jimmy White has revealed he has one eye on coaching the next generation of British snooker stars when he finally decides to hang up his cue from the main professional circuit.The six-time world finalist is competing this week at the Snooker Shoot Out in Blackpool and faces Oliver Brown in his tournament opener on Thursday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ at 19:00.
The popular TNT Sports analyst is also in action at the British Seniors Open over the festive period, taking on 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the quarter-finals on Boxing Day.
White turned professional back in 1980 and is still going strong at the age of 63, winning 10 ranking titles and the Masters in 1984, but feels he could help future talent to prosper after his playing career.
“I want to look for the next Ronnie O’Sullivan,” said White, speaking to The Sun newspaper at the opening of his new snooker club in Woking.
“Listen, if I can spot players that are improving all the time, I’ll then put maximum effort into them. We’ve got good coaches here.
“The players that are improving are the young Chinese boys. We haven’t got a lot of British talent.
“If we do find anyone who’s got any talent, we’ll back them for sure. We’ll put in all the energy, and my experience to coach them.”
White recently faced 14-year-old Polish prodigy Michal Szubarczyk, losing 6-2 to the teenager in the first round of qualifying for the UK Championship, a tournament he won in 1992. England is the most-represented country on the World Snooker Tour with 43 players, but China have a new world champion in Zhao Xintong and a record 28 players competing, with another four from Hong Kong.
‘Was that a push?!’ – White expertly attempts Wilson’s awkward shot
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And the country’s considerable strength in depth has been illustrated this season with victories for Xiao Guodong at the Wuhan Open, Wu Yize at the International Championship in Nanjing, and Zhao at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.
China also have the world champion in the women’s game in Bai Yulu, who faces 14-year-old debutant Ellise Scott, ranked top in the women’s U21 game, on Thursday afternoon at the Shoot Out.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Snooker Shoot Out and Scottish Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
