Little Cue-Doll set to follow in Reannes footsteps

IN CHINA she is known as ‘Little Cue-Doll’ and she is on first name terms with three former world snooker champions.

IBSF World Champion Reanne Evans and 11-year-old England international Hannah Jones

At just 11-years-old, Hannah Jones has already achieved more in her short career than most players achieve in a lifetime.

This remarkable young lady is ranked 15th on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association circuit, has made four TV appearances and represented England at the 2007 EBSA European Team Championship in Belgium.

Hannah said: “It was the most fun that I have had in my snooker life. It was awesome. I didn't really understand what it was like to play for my country until I played my first game. When I won my first frame I was so happy, but I lost the next and I felt really upset that I had lost a frame for my country and Reanne [Evans].”

Three-time World Ladies’ Champion Evans and partner Hannah lost 5-4 to Belgium in the semis, which prompted a Chinese Web site to dub the young starlet ‘Little Cue Doll’.

WLBSA chairman Mandy Fisher said: “She's talented, smart, dedicated and a lovely girl. It's a pleasure to have her as a junior member and playing in all the ladies’ events.”

But dad Mark and mum Theresa had to make a tough decision when their daughter was selected to represent England again at the European Championships in Carlow, Ireland. Declining the invitation, Mark, 37, said: “She is doing very well in school and this has to be balanced along with her snooker. Ultimately, it is down to the amount of time that she can have off school, and finances.”

Hannah was first introduced to green baize, aged two.

“She was tall enough to look over a 9-ball pool table and she used to collect the balls and place them on the table,” said Mark, a century-breaker himself. “At the age of five she started cueing correctly and used to stand on an orange crate that the staff in Riley's, Cardiff, used to keep aside for her.

“She still only played a couple of times a month and usually when her mother went shopping. Hannah doesn't like shopping too much,” added Mark, owner of Midlands-based IT company Wytech, which sponsors some events on the ladies’ tour.

The family moved to Derby when Hannah was seven, but it was two years later before she started taking the game more seriously after receiving a scholarship to play on the WLBSA circuit. She is coached at her home club, The Cueball in Derby, by Roger Stevenson-Revil and practises four times a week. 

“He has been really helpful and has taught me how to approach the ball and do my drill,” said Hannah. “He comes to as many tournaments as he can and always encourages me. In fact, when I pot a ball he does get very excited and you can hear him clapping through the room.”

Suzie Opacic, who beat Hannah in the 2006 World Ladies’ junior final, said: “Nothing seems to faze Hannah, despite her age, and she will certainly be a very strong player on the circuit.”

Hannah recorded her highest match break of 35 during the World Championship group stages in Cambridge last year. And she recently returned from competing in the IBSF World Championships in Thailand.

Hannah has her own pretty pink website and can count John Parrott among those who have signed her guestbook.

When she appeared on BBC TV with Steve Davis at the Crucible, Mark was in awe.

“I have always put him at the top of my list of people that I would like to meet, and have been inspired to play like him, as have thousands of others. So you can imagine that when I saw my little girl looking up at the master in front of the studio cameras I was feeling a little light headed and couldn't believe it,” he said. “Hannah chats away comfortably to John [Parrott], Steve [Davis] and Dennis [Taylor] as though they are friends, while I watch from a distance.”

But there are those ready to knock her.

Hannah won the Derbyshire Billiards Handicap Plate but one player in particular was unhappy that he was playing a girl and a junior.

“He was very verbal throughout his game and swore a lot,” said Mark. “He complained to whoever was listening that women and kids shouldn't be playing. He was beaten fairly comfortably, as well, in the end.”

Away from the tables, Hannah loves dancing, tennis and is soon to start golf.

“I have been dancing on and off for a few years and have just got back into it. I do tap and jazz,” she said. “I learn tennis on a Friday after school and it keeps me fit.”

Mark said: “She has not been pushed in any way at all. All of her tournament entries are her decision. Hannah is well aware that if she wants to give up snooker tomorrow that she can do it without feeling that she is letting anyone down.”

However, if she does, there is always four-year-old sister Ellie waiting in the wings.

Hannah, herself, has very simple ambitions: “I want to become the World Ladies Champion and break into the men’s game and become World Champion in that.”

Picture by Mark Jones