The 2018 National Snooker Expo was hailed a success and work has already begun on the 2019 edition, said the creator of the event Jason Lawrence. The two-day expo took place in Stockport at the Hazel Grove Snooker Club on the 26/27th May courtesy of passionate player Jason Lawrence and a team of sponsors and businesses.
The Expo was not just a gala for showcasing snooker products from businesses such as Cue and Case, or, indeed, for running an amateur tournament The Black Heart Snooker Classic Open, it was also to help raise money for a worthy charity, the Prostate Cancer UK charity.
Marshall Shocked by Gesture
And they did them proud. Raising £72.50 for the cause. But the winner for 2018 also made history in two ways:
- By not just winning the event and picking up the first ever Winner's Bracelet, called the National Snooker Expo Bracelet 2018
- it was also history for Robert Marshall, an ex-snooker pro, whose best highlight was reaching the semis of the 1990 British Open. Not only had he rolled back the years picking up the first National Snooker Expo bracelet, but, it was confirmed that in future Expos, the top prize would be re-named the Robert Marshall Bracelet. Quite an honour
According to Jason Lawrence in a PR Release, Marshall, 51, highest ranked as a pro at 46, was shocked by this gesture.
To which he said: "Wow, really? You're joking right?" It was an honour bestowed on Marshall for winning the first ever NSEXPO in which he picked up a cheque for £350 and also a £100 for a high break of 106.
2019 Edition
Due to the success of the 2018 edition, work has already begun for a 2019 edition of last weekend's event. Lawrence said: “We are now looking ahead to the National Snooker Expo 2019. There is a lot of hard work ahead for this project and that has already begun. I can proudly confirm that for the 2019 edition, Black Heart Premium Billiard Tips will again be the Principal Partner and we are very confident of naming others in the near future." The 46-year-old pool/snooker player added his thanks to the snooker referees - a mixture of professionals and amateurs who turned up to the event despite delays and other hiccups along the way - even flying in from as far as Poland to be in the UK for the event.
He added: "We’ve now got a very strong team of professionals who all performed to an outstanding level throughout the event and gave the players an exciting experience that many are not use too. On behalf of the National Snooker Expo, I should like to thank Małgorzata Kanieska and Sarah McManus for carrying out their Directive and Refereeing duties to the highest level. They are now part of a team.”