Kyren Wilson, the 2024 World Snooker Champion, and his wife, Sophie, are taking a proactive step to address the often-overlooked challenges faced by the families of professional snooker players. In collaboration with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the Wilsons are establishing a dedicated support network designed to assist partners and children navigating the unique pressures of life on the professional tour.
Addressing the Unseen Struggles of Tour Life
The initiative comes after Wilson, 34, openly discussed his own struggles with the emotional and mental toll of being frequently separated from his family while competing globally. The relentless travel schedule, which often sees players in different cities and countries every fortnight, places significant strain on those left at home.
Wilson revealed the depth of these difficulties, admitting to feeling close to a "mental breakdown" during a recent tournament defeat. He expressed a strong desire for snooker to pioneer a structured support system, something he feels is lacking in many other professional sports.
A Unique Support System for Players' Families
The proposed network aims to provide a confidential space where partners and families can connect with others experiencing similar circumstances. "If the families back home are struggling with the sort of ebbs and flows of tour life, there will be a support network and system where they can log in and chat with those going through exactly the same thing," Wilson stated in an interview with BBC Sport. The goal is to ensure that no family feels isolated during difficult periods.
Sophie Wilson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that struggles are not determined by financial status. "If someone is a millionaire and they are struggling they should be able to say they are struggling and it shouldn't be pay packet dependent on if you're struggling or happy," she asserted. She highlighted the shared experience among players' spouses, noting, "I can't be the only mum that is struggling with their partner leaving for a tournament, we all must be sat quietly at home having the same thoughts and feelings."
Hopes for a Timely Launch
The couple, who have two young sons, are working closely with the WPBSA to finalise the framework of the support system. The ambitious target is to have the network operational by the commencement of the World Championship in April. This timing is crucial, as the Crucible event represents the pinnacle of the snooker calendar, often demanding intense focus and prolonged absence from home.
Drawing Inspiration from Other Structures
Neil Tomkins of the WPBSA Players Association confirmed the organisation’s commitment to the project. A preliminary search revealed a notable lack of pre-existing structures dedicated to supporting snooker families. "We've had a look online and tried to see whether there's much if anything in across other sports and we can't really find much," Tomkins noted.
Inspiration is being drawn from models used in other demanding professions. "You've got a military wives kind of organisation which is the best comparison we could draw so we're taking some ideas from that," Tomkins explained. This suggests a structure built around mutual support, shared understanding, and practical advice for managing long-term separation and the pressures of high-stakes competition.
Beyond the Table: Prioritising Well-being
Kyren Wilson’s initiative underscores a growing recognition across professional sports that player success is intrinsically linked to the stability and well-being of their support systems. While snooker has seen increased professionalism in recent years, the personal element of touring life has often been sidelined.
The Wilsons’ vision extends to providing resources not just for partners but also for children, suggesting potential avenues like dedicated WhatsApp groups to help younger family members process the transient nature of their lives. As the WPBSA and the Wilsons push forward, this new network could set a significant precedent for how professional sports organisations care for the entire ecosystem surrounding their athletes.
This proactive approach by the 2024 champion highlights a shift towards holistic athlete welfare, ensuring that the sacrifices made by families on the sidelines are acknowledged and supported within the structure of the sport.
