John Donovan with Gone2Pot founder John Woods

WITH the scorching heat stopping the borough’s youngsters from getting their sporting fix, there is one option: step into the shade and try snooker.

Gone2Pot coach and founder John Woods is hoping to attract a new crop of talent to the tables, especially over the school summer holidays.

Woods confirmed this week that he is going to continue running his children’s snooker sessions throughout July, August and September.

He is also planning to add a few fun midweek sessions alongside his regular Saturday morning slots in the hope of introducing a new wave of players to the sport.

“It’s always great to see a young player try snooker for the first time and fall in love with the sport,” said John, who lives in Islington.

“I hold sessions every Saturday morning at the Hurricane Room in King’s Cross with players coming from all over the capital to take part. But as a local lad I always like seeing kids from the surrounding boroughs – Camden, Westminster and Islington – joining in because I want to see the local talent that is on our doorstep thrive, too.

“Sometimes I’m really concerned that parents don’t know we’re here.”

Past and present players from Gone2Pot are reflecting on another striking season competing on the Cuestars Tour, a competition aimed at giving grassroots players the chance to perfect their game by competing in a series of tournaments across the south of England. Depending on ability, there are Gold, Silver and Bronze tours.

The 2025/26 campaign saw John Donovan, from Somers Town, crowned the Gold Tour champion, adding to his previous successes on the Silver and Bronze Tours.

Islington’s Donnie Gola also featured on the Gold Tour, finishing 16th out of 22 players, while Rayan El Qmache from Westminster took sixth place on the Silver Tour.

Hoping to add fresh talent to the tournament in the coming seasons, Woods added: “All the boys did extremely well this season, obviously led by John winning the Gold Tour. They will take a few weeks off now and hopefully get some rest, before returning to training in September.

“My focus now is on the Saturday morning sessions. It would be great to unearth the next top talents in the area; in fact there’s already one new player lined up to take part in the Cuestars Tour next season.

“But it’s also about just letting kids try the sport and seeing if they enjoy it, without worrying too much about the competitive side.

“We have lots of fun practice routines and matches, plus I’m working on a few new activities that will be held over the summer, so watch this space!”

• Anyone interested in finding out more about the Gone2Pot children’s sessions, which are held at the Hurricane Room in King’s Cross every Saturday between 10am and 1pm, can call John Woods on 07511 916 346. Sessions cost just £5, and any children who are visiting for the first time must be accompanied by an adult.