A LIFE-long snooker fan has 'queued' up a string of high-profile coaching events after being praised by one of the sport's legends.

Music teacher Matt Haworth has achieved the top coaching qualification in the world of snooker after taking part in an intensive two-day course.

Matt, who has taught at St Augustine's RC High School in Billington since 2005, attended the course run by governing body, the WPBSA, which was led by head coach Chris Loveall alongside 1979 world champion Terry Giffiths and six-time world champion Steve Davis.

He received praise from Davis after he was impressed with his determination to develop his skills to support snooker at his school.

Matt works mainly with the young people at St Augustine’s in lunch time snooker clubs where the school have used snooker as an innovative way to help pupils with their maths as part of World Snooker’s ‘Cuezone into Schools’ project.

After picking up the qualification Matt will also appear at a string of high profile snooker tournaments including the Masters event in London to coach fans during matches.

Matt, who is a past pupil at the Ribble Valley school, said: "I truly believe that in order to play snooker well then it is important to develop a sound technique and be open to working on the technical aspects of the game.

“Snooker is a fantastic sport which has seen a sad demise since the 1970s and 80s.

"The WPBSA are working hard on growing the game and I am very proud to be part of the World Snooker Coaching team and helping that to happen in the Ribble Valley.

"The snooker club at school is a real hit with the students and it's always packed out.

"I really enjoy teaching them maths through snooker and I think it helps with curbing anti-social behaviour as well.

"It was great to have achieved this qualification and I'm looking forward to attending some of the best tournaments on the calendar now."

Whalley’s Chris Lovell said “Matt was a model pupil, he contributed to all discussions and exercises over the two days with passion and enthusiasm; exactly what's needed to be a successful snooker coach”.