AFTER reaching the World Snooker Championship Qualification Third Round, Eastleigh’s 20-year-old prospect, Oliver Sykes is set for his first year on the professional tour for the 2026/27 season.
Having applied his trade at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club, it is a place that is used to world class talent entering through their doors.
Billy Castle
Billy Castle first won a place on the professional snooker circuit when he was 24 years of age and the first former member to qualify for the professional circuit.
Castle ontinues to apply his trade on the Cuestars Championship Tour and WSF Championship Events, with varying rates of success.
Now 33, Billy has a 44% win percentage across his career with four seasons as a snooker professional to his name.
Jamie Wilson
One of the younger names on this list, James Wilson reached the professional level back in 2020 at just 16-years-old with a guaranteed two seasons on the World Snooker Tour.
However, unfortunately for Jamie, he is yet to return to the professional tour and most recently lost to Nathan Jones last year in a Professional Tour Qualifier.
At just 22-years of age, many future seasons in the pro scene, without a doubt await Jamie.
Suzie Opacic
A former world junior champion in 2006, Suzie Opacic reached a high of fifth on the World Women’s Snooker Tour but Suzie’s life outside of snooker is equally as interesting.
After taking a break from snooker to study a Masters degree at Reading University, Opacic achieved an appearance in the 2018 Women’s Masters semi-finals back in 2018.
Since then, Suize has travelled to Antarctica and was a town planner for Heathrow Airport whilst managing her success on the tour.
Oliver Sykes
The reason for this piece, Oliver Sykes is an up and coming snooker talent that continues to play at Chandler’s Ford in his own time.
On his way to achieving pro status, Oliver beat world number 54, Lyu Haotian n the World Championship Qualifying Second Round with a miraculous 146 break.
With an extremely strong start to 2026, Sykes will enjoy at least two great years in the pro game.
