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THE COACH

FROM TEACHER
TO SNOOKER COACH

My journey to coaching didn't begin at the snooker table, but in the classroom. At eighteen, I started secondary school teacher training. I quickly discovered I'd found my calling. Teaching became second nature, and according to my audience, my teaching performances were enjoyable to watch, too!

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The connection with snooker didn't last long. After two years of working with a provincial youth program, I was increasingly approached by players asking me to teach them. Although I had already built up a solid foundation of technique and tactics over the years, I continued my education on the international stage. I took courses with Sport Vlaanderen (Didier De Proost), primarily for the technical foundation; with the EBSA (PJ Nolan & Brando Krastev), for training structures; and with SightRight (Stephen Feeney & Lee Walker), to deepen my knowledge of the crucial skill of correctly lining up shots.

 

"Snooker is much more than having good technique."

 

Besides technique and tactics, snooker is a mental sport par excellence. To support players in that aspect as well, I immersed myself in sports psychology (including visualization techniques, NLP, breathing, deliberate practice, and emotion regulation). Whether you're a beginner or a top player, mental resilience is a fundamental requirement for reaching your potential.

 

"There is no holy grail."

 

The combination of personal experience, self-study, and the diverse perspectives on snooker I've encountered has allowed me to adapt very flexibly to the problems players encounter. I don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach. What works for one player can be a nightmare for another. The fact that no two teams are the same means I continue to learn every day and remain fascinated by this fantastic profession!

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DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
AT A HIGH LEVEL

My snooker adventure as a player began when, at the age of 12, I was allowed to accompany my brother to the snooker club. It quickly became clear to everyone there that I had definitely caught the snooker bug. In my first year, I quickly went from one training session a week to two, three, or even four. By the time I turned 13, I was already competing in the interclub competition and, on weekends, I traveled the country with my mother to play in national youth tournaments.

My dedication was rewarded in my first year of competition with a Belgian cadet title. At that championship, I was also noticed by Didier De Proost, then coach of Bjorn Haneveer (former world number 53). Under his guidance, I continued my development, resulting in several national titles and international successes.

After high school, I consciously chose to pursue further education. Snooker was struggling at the time, making a professional career seem like a risky gamble. However, that choice never diminished my love for the sport. I continued to compete at a high level on both the national and international circuits. I bring that experience as a competitive player to every session I teach today.

ACHIEVEMENTS
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  • Belgian champion U16 (2x)

  • Belgian champion U21

  • Belgian champion teams

  • Runner-up BC MEN

  • Runner-up BC U16

  • Runner-up BC U21

  • Semi-finalist BC MEN (2x)

  • Semi-finalist BC doubles

  • Flemish champion U21

  • Flemish champion teams (2x)

  • Provincional champion MEN (5x)

  • Provincional A-ranking winner (17x)

  • Provincional champion teams (2x)

  • Provincional cup winner teams (6x)

  • Highest break provincional (7x)

  • Runner-up International Open U21

  • Highest break European Ch. U19

  • 1/8 finalist World Ch. U21 (2x)

  • 1/8 finalist European Ch. U19 (3x)

  • Winner Bundesliga (GER) teams (2x)

  • Winner Bundesliga (GER) individual

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