Role Models are Hard to Find—Especially in the World of Snooker

The years have not been especially kind to the snooker world since the turn of the millennium. The sport has suffered from masses of infighting, periods of uncertainty after the cigarette ban and a whole barrage of minor incidents most circling around the "Rocket" Ronnie O’Sullivan and his personal life.

What the sport appears to lack at the moment is a player strong enough personality wise as well as skill wise to drive the sport into a new era and bulldoze the sport back into the spotlight.

Since Stephen Hendry’s fall from grace and Jimmy White’s complete obliteration the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, and John Higgins traded tournament wins before a period of the last two or so years where each tournament has a new winner.

Predictability has gone out of the window and the players appear to be running away from title wins as opposed to striving for them—a link here must be made to the women’s tennis arena where a similar situation was evident recently.

Obviously personal issues aside Ronnie O’Sullivan at his best is by far the strongest player; a player of substantial quality, but a player whose past behaviour has left him with a flailing fan base and inconsistent performance.

His summarisation at the end of matches is often intriguing but sometimes ungrateful and condescending to his losing opponent. It’s as if he thinks of himself as invincible and cares little about the consequences of his words.

Still at least you have to thank your lucky stars that a player of Stephen Lee’s stature doesn’t represent the pinnacle of the snooker world.

Here is a player who cares little about the effects of binge eating on his body and produces a display of a "sportsman" being someone who thinks it acceptable that the youth of today, the youth who yearn for role models at such a young age, can accept a player of his appearance and think it ok to put your fitness and health at risk because they can't say no to food.

As harsh as it may sound I will never want him to win the World Championship purely for that reason.

There are a few new talents that have emerged in the rankings of late, capable of pushing the sport back to the forefront, notably Ali Carter and the sensational Mark Selby. At a mere 25 Mark Selby is the critics’ choice to being the number one rival to Ronnie O’Sullivan for the accolade of "World No. 1."

An inconsistency though in those who reach finals is really what is hindering the sport. Ronnie O’Sullivan is the best player, Mark Selby his number two. However what is seen too often is either player reaching a final one week and the following week being knocked out in round two.

Again reference must go to the woman’s tennis world and one Ana Ivanovic as a point in case.

You could of course attribute this to the game of snooker being a game against another player but also partly a game against yourself.

Any player who lacks quality in a match and gives his opponent ten or so chances in each frame is obviously going to be punished for their horrendous shot building or safety play, and any opponent capable of striking a ball would be a sure fire winner.

Personally the best hope for the sport itself is for either Ronnie O’Sullivan to calm down, show some gratitude and develop his consistency. Alternatively the refreshing sight of Mark Selby or Ali Carter triumphing in a blaze of glory is a sight worthy of media attention, and a role model in the making.