888.com world snooker championship 2007

Newsflash - Wells Done Daniel

Welsh teenager Daniel Wells is the inaugural winner of the Paul Hunter Scholarship, an award set up by World Snooker to honour the much-missed player who died of cancer in October 2006, aged just 27.

The young snooker ace received his award yesterday from Paul’s parents, Alan and Christine, in a ceremony staged at the Crucible ahead of the first session of the 888.com World Championship semi-final between Stephen Maguire and John Higgins.

The 18-year-old said: “I am absolutely over the moon. This is an opportunity which I never thought would come my way. It’s massive and I’m extremely proud.

"Paul was a massive inspiration, especially his temperament. He was always smiling even when he lost.”

World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker said: "We are delighted to announce the scholarship winner and are sure that the scheme will provide a fitting and permanent tribute to a wonderful person and player."

Daniel was put forward as one of eight young players currently excelling on the amateur scene. After making it to the final cut, he impressed World Snooker officials at interviews, beating fellow short-listers Michael White, Stuart Carrington and Fraser Patrick to the prize.

The £5,600 award was put together bit by bit during last year’s Masters Championship, a title Paul Hunter won three times. Sponsors Saga Insurance paid £50 into the scholarship kitty whenever a player knocked in a break of 50 or more during the tournament.

The lad from Neath in South Wales, has his sights set on turning pro after next season. This money will help him travel to tournaments, obtain media instruction and train with the game’s elite at the World Snooker Academy.

Daniel’s favourite player is John Higgins but at eight years old, it was his dad who nudged him towards a snooker table.

“Whenever I played pool against my mate, I would always lose,” he said. “Eventually my dad got so fed up with me never winning, he took me to his snooker club to practice with him. From that day I was hooked on snooker and never played pool again.”

Daniel now practices for six hours a day and his ambition is to reach the very top of the game. Let’s hope this excellent achievement helps him on his way.

Well done son.

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