Sheffield Hallam cues up partnership with World Seniors Snooker

11th March 2025

Sheffield Hallam University and World Seniors Snooker have announced a ground-breaking new partnership which will see students currently studying Sport Business Management get real time experience working on the 2025 World Seniors Snooker Championship.

The initiative was launched by World Seniors Snooker Chairman Jason Francis and fellow Director, and former snooker professional, Mike Dunn with opportunities offered for students to experience every aspect of producing, promoting, planning and executing a major sporting TV event.

World Seniors is offering placements alongside their industry professionals for students to experience how staging a major sporting event in the city, at the iconic Crucible Theatre, with a live television production team comes together.

Dr Ruth M Crabtree, Head of the School of Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University, said:

“We are delighted to be collaborating with World Seniors Snooker. When you think of Sheffield and sport, you instantly think of snooker and this partnership is a great opportunity for our students to gain real world experience of working for a major iconic sport event and learn from experienced professionals.  Our mission is to be a leading applied university, and we pride ourselves on working with major sport organisations within Sheffield, the region and globally.

“We believe we are sector leading in offering value added opportunities for our students and it is always great to see them jump at the chance to volunteer for such initiatives.  I am confident our students will learn a lot and offer some innovative and creative ideas.”

The collaboration will allow students to work within sport marketing, media, public relations, and event management, gaining key skills needed within sport management, helping enhance their CV, increase their network, and gain valuable expertise. 

Nathan Withey, third-year Sport Business Management Student, said:

“My time at Sheffield Hallam University has been filled with opportunities to improve my professionalism and to make sure I have experience when starting my career after graduation.  What I’m most excited about for the World Senior Snooker Championship is the opportunity to gain valuable insight into how an event of this magnitude is created. What it takes to be involved, and the skills required to produce a sporting event which I can hopefully learn to harness though this opportunity.  Very much looking forward to working with the team and grateful for the opportunity."

Chairman of World Seniors Snooker Jason Francis said:

“Seniors Snooker has entered into a long-term partnership with Sheffield Council to make the World Seniors Snooker Championship an event to showcase everything that is great about the Steel City. A Sheffield event for Sheffield people, engaging with their ‘Sheffield Loves Snooker’ campaign. The energy and enthusiasm we got from the students proved to me that they can play a real part in making this year’s Championship the best ever. The work with Sheffield Hallam is the latest initiative which will sit alongside our ‘Business’ and ‘Youth’ of Sheffield Days and the continuation of ‘Seniors of Sheffield’ day. I’m really looking forward to working with, but also learning from, them.”

The Championship starts on Wednesday 7 May with Snooker Legends Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and Tony Drago.