Three young Cwmbran snooker players have qualified for the 2026 Junior European Championships in Spain. The trio all play for Redz Snooker Club.
I popped to the club earlier this evening to meet them and take a few photos. They were warming up before an away league match tonight against Malpas Unionist Club.
Logan Rawlings, 17 , is in the under-18s category. He said: “I’m looking forward to spending time out there with all the boys because they’re all my mates. I’m looking forward to competing against some of the best in the world. The experience from the past, when I’ve been, has been really good, so I’m hoping it’s going to be like that again.”
Freddie Smith, ten , is in the under-16s category. He said: “I’m looking forward to taking part and having fun.”
William Gwinnell, 16, is in the under-18s category. He said: “I just love playing in the Europeans. The standard is always really high, the conditions are amazing, like the tables we play on are great. It’s a mini-holiday.”
Darryl James, their coach, said: “I’ve been coaching the lads now for the best part of nearly three years now. The improvement from them has been excellent, every year just coming on and on. I’m just so proud to be part of the achievements they’re doing.
“The effort they put in is brilliant. [They’re here] seven days a week, straight from school, college, and they’re giving 100 per cent, which you can’t fault.
“They’re just getting better and better, and it’s just great at the moment.”
The Junior European Snooker Championships run from 1 March 2026.