Our Disability and Financial Support Funds are one of the most important ways we help our members to play sport and to live their best lives. Providing opportunities for people to follow their passions and achieve their dreams is the very essence of CSSC. So, we are always excited to share great news with our members.
We caught up with partially sighted snooker player, Mike Gillespie, who loves nothing more than sharing his passions with anyone who’ll listen.
Tell us about your sporting background?
Going back to when I was at school, sports was a part of the curriculum and was one of many subjects I enjoyed and excelled at. I was a strong swimmer, swimming for the local swimming club and I was possibly one of the best swimmers at the school, showing strengths in breaststroke and freestyle. I was also a decent footballer and rugby player. We were coached by Clive Sullivan, who was a local Hull FC rugby player and captain of the England national rugby team. I also played amateur football in the same team as Paul Heaton, lead singer for The Beautiful South.
How did you first find you had a skill for snooker?
I had a passion watching snooker on TV, also my father was a player at the local club. I played on small tables at the youth club, and at the age of 15, played my first game on a full-size snooker table. I used to watch my father play at the weekends and on occasions, got the odd frame of snooker with his mates. Six months later, I produced my highest break of 67. At the time, this seemed like a high break, one I may never beat. However, because of the snooker bug and with more practice, I've beaten this break many times.
What is it about snooker you enjoy the most?
Snooker is a game of skill, not just potting balls and playing safety shots, but a game of chess on a green carpet. Playing the right shot at the right time, working out your opponent’s weaknesses and battling to become a victor. The skill factor is not just physical but mental as well. To overcome such obstacles, can give so much satisfaction and sense of achievement whether you win or lose. The sport has everything. And at the end, a shake of the hand in appreciation is sometimes enough to show the sportsmanship required in this tremendous game.
How did you first find you had a skill for snooker?
I had a passion watching snooker on TV, also my father was a player at the local club. I played on small tables at the youth club, and at the age of 15, played my first game on a full-size snooker table. I used to watch my father play at the weekends and on occasions, got the odd frame of snooker with his mates. Six months later, I produced my highest break of 67. At the time, this seemed like a high break, one I may never beat. However, because of the snooker bug and with more practice, I've beaten this break many times.
What is it about snooker you enjoy the most?
Snooker is a game of skill, not just potting balls and playing safety shots, but a game of chess on a green carpet. Playing the right shot at the right time, working out your opponent’s weaknesses and battling to become a victor. The skill factor is not just physical but mental as well. To overcome such obstacles, can give so much satisfaction and sense of achievement whether you win or lose. The sport has everything. And at the end, a shake of the hand in appreciation is sometimes enough to show the sportsmanship required in this tremendous game.
What successes have you had with snooker?
I have had great successes competing in the World Disabled Billiards and Snooker events, winning my first tournament and qualifying for sixteen finals.
I have a current World Ranking in the visually impaired group of number one.
Just this year I’ve become the 2024 Belgium Open runner up, the 2024 Champion of champions runners up, the 2024 Germany Open winner and the UK Disabled snooker Champion runner up.
Last year, I was invited to play live on television in the Snooker Legends 900, which included ex World Champion Dennis Taylor, in my group. I have also recently participated in three charity professional/amateur tournaments. I reached two quarter finals and one final.
The final two tournaments of 2024 are in Portugal and Ireland. Which I was hoping to enter. However, due to recent issues with my right eye, I will have to undergo surgery after learning I have a detached retina. As I only have one eye, the surgery will be completed under a general anaesthetic. Sadly, this could mean that I lose my number one world ranking position. But once I have been given the all clear, I shall begin training to try and gain my ranking status back.
What’s it like competing internationally and representing your country?
I represent England, and love playing in all events. It has been amazing to play tournaments abroad. The respect has been humbling, especially from Germany. All the countries have been welcoming, helpful and friendly. It's a feeling and buzz, nothing else can offer. I feel so lucky, not because I play at a good standard but due to my sight issues, I struggled to see for 25 years. After receiving an operation in 2015, I was able to see and play snooker to a good level again.
What drives you to succeed and to keep training so hard?
I have such a love for the sport, and I enjoy encouraging all players young and old. I am a qualified World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association coach (WPBSA), and as much as I enjoy completing, I also enjoy teaching and coaching anyone who is willing to learn or improve themselves in this fantastic game.
Does snooker help in your everyday life such as gaining confidence, health, wellbeing?
Sport or any activity is important to distract anyone from the normal parts of daily life. It helps to entertain along with creative goals and challenges to aim for. Snooker offers so much to help with physical and mental health. Regardless of the standard of the sport you play. It is also a great way of creating a social surrounding. I have been fortunate to have met some fantastic personalities and people from all areas, due to the players, organisers and support, that attend all the events I have participated in. And that includes the staff who work at the tournament venues. I have also played such top players as Jimmy White, Kyren Wilson and Shaun Murphy.
Thanks to CSSC who have funded me to help with the cost towards me having a professional coach, Peter Lines. Peter is an ex professional player from the main tour himself. So, he understands the pressures each player goes through at all levels. Since the CSSC funding and Peter becoming my coach, I have not dropped a single frame in the Germany Open. So, the coaching has helped so much. The funding is also important because playing in these tournaments are not for profit.
What’s it like competing internationally and representing your country?
I represent England, and love playing in all events. It has been amazing to play tournaments abroad. The respect has been humbling, especially from Germany. All the countries have been welcoming, helpful and friendly. It's a feeling and buzz, nothing else can offer. I feel so lucky, not because I play at a good standard but due to my sight issues, I struggled to see for 25 years. After receiving an operation in 2015, I was able to see and play snooker to a good level again.
What drives you to succeed and to keep training so hard?
I have such a love for the sport, and I enjoy encouraging all players young and old. I am a qualified World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association coach (WPBSA), and as much as I enjoy completing, I also enjoy teaching and coaching anyone who is willing to learn or improve themselves in this fantastic game.
Does snooker help in your everyday life such as gaining confidence, health, wellbeing?
Sport or any activity is important to distract anyone from the normal parts of daily life. It helps to entertain along with creative goals and challenges to aim for. Snooker offers so much to help with physical and mental health. Regardless of the standard of the sport you play. It is also a great way of creating a social surrounding. I have been fortunate to have met some fantastic personalities and people from all areas, due to the players, organisers and support, that attend all the events I have participated in. And that includes the staff who work at the tournament venues. I have also played such top players as Jimmy White, Kyren Wilson and Shaun Murphy.
Thanks to CSSC who have funded me to help with the cost towards me having a professional coach, Peter Lines. Peter is an ex professional player from the main tour himself. So, he understands the pressures each player goes through at all levels. Since the CSSC funding and Peter becoming my coach, I have not dropped a single frame in the Germany Open. So, the coaching has helped so much. The funding is also important because playing in these tournaments are not for profit.
What’s your favourite CSSC benefit?
I see so many benefits as a CSSC member. I enjoy visiting heritage buildings, looking around seeing how we use to live. There are also special discounts and savings, even at the local supermarket. So, there’s always plenty to keep me occupied with some great deals and services.
If you’d like to follow in Mike’s footsteps and grow your passions, apply for funding through one of our funding streams.
The CSSC Disability and Financial Support Funds are sponsored by the CSSC Community Lottery.