Coach Case Study: Mohamed Ali - Bahrain
"An armory of knowledge"
Mohamed attended The Snooker Gym Master Coach training in Bahrain in 2006.
Since then he has led three national teams, developed his own style, been coaching as a full time career for 15 years.
As of 2026, he is four years into his residency as UAE National Coach based in Dubai.
Coach Case Study: Rafik Limbada - South Africa
"Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life!"
Rafik attended The Snooker Gym Master Coach training in Johannesburg in 2014.
He dream was to leave his corporate career and coach snooker full time - a goal he achieved some years ago. One of the achievement we discuss is how he took a 40 break player to be South African Champion within three years. Full of fun anecdotes, this case study is well worth a listen.
Coach Case Study: Ben O'Dell - England
"From content creation, to cultural & contractual consulting"
Ben is a PGA Golf Professional, now head coach in one of the top 50 golf clubs in the country.
Initially we had met as he came to me for help with his snooker game. Inevitably lunchtime discussions came down to similarities between the sports. Ben shares how his career transformed in the last few years with some Snooker Gym principles on the golf course, a very uncomfortable assignment during Covid, which led to the biggest contract of his career... which we also consulted on.
Testimonial Coach Certification Level 1 & 2
Stephen Hills, Steve Paling and Michael Cushion
Chris Small
2003 LG Cup Champion.
(Attended Nic’s intensive level 3 Master Coach Programme before launching his own successful coaching career)
"Even although I was a professional snooker player myself I learned great ways and techniques in explaining and demonstrating certain aspects of the game. Nic is a great guy and also knows everything about the game of snooker. You can see that he has studied the game for years and years to get to where he is now in the coaching world."
Kamran Shahla
Head Coach & Manager – Iranian National Team
"The IBSF Master Coach training was invaluable in helping me guide Hossein Vofei through the toughest pressure points and emergency situations in his IBSF World Amateur title win in India in 2011. Without these player management skills we would not have come away with the World title."
Michael Kreuziger
Austrian Head Snooker Coach
"Out of all the business and management courses I have attended, your IBSF Master seminar is the best I have ever attended."
What Player Say About Us
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Five Times World Snooker Champion
"You won’t find a better set of snooker information anywhere. I would defy ANYBODY’S game not to improve if you stick to Nic’s methods – and this will stay with you for life. I know this because Nic and I see the game the same way, and both have an appreciation for the finer points of the game."
Ding Junhui
Within six weeks of beginning his coaching relationship with Nic in 2013, Ding Junhui had won three consecutive ranking events and reached world number one on the money list for the first time.
"Nic’s coaching and knowledge on psychology, technique and shot making helped my game and I learned a lot. Who knows – with all the help from his book you might become good enough to turn professional yourself one day…"
Hossein Vofei
Youngest ever IBSF World Men’s Amateur Champion (relieving Jimmy White of the record he set at the age of 18)
"The safety practice routines Nic Barrow helped me with were a major factor in winning my IBSF World Amateur title in 2012. Nic’s knowledge and experience in dealing with pressure was also vital in being able to win the final of my world title 10-9 on the black."
Igor Figueiredo
Brazil’s number one ranked player since 1995 & IBSF World Amateur Finalist 2009
"Nic Barrow is a monster coach – because he is masterful in not just one skill but all… psychology, technique, strategy, practice, coaching toys, and how to talk to players. In 2 minutes, Nic spotted a mistake that was holding me back for a year… and my game immediately got back to its best."
Peter Gilchrist
Three Times World Billiards Champion & World Record Holder – English Billiards Competitive Break 1346
"A couple of simple psychological tips from Nic made it much easier than it otherwise would have been to cross the 1,000 break barrier in Hamilton, New Zealand during my 1,346 break in 2007. Without Nic’s advice on nutrition, I would not have won the 2007 Asian Billiards Championship. His advice helped me recover from feeling awful to fine within 24 hours, which gave me the energy to go all the way in the event."
Alfie Burden
2009 IBSF World Champion
"Nic Barrow has more clues than Sherlock Holmes. I would not have won the 2009 IBSF World Amateur Championships without Nic Barrow being here with me during the event. He has a massive knowledge of the game, a great ability to spot a players faults, and the keys to solve them. I also found him to be a calming influence who always says the right thing at the right time."
Steve Mifsud
Australia – IBSF World Amateur Champion 2002
"Nic Barrow’s knowledge on psychology and holding concentration helped me through my IBSF World Amateur final in Egypt, 2002."
Keith E Boon
Singapore
"Within one day of some pressure play ideas Nic gave me during the 2006 IBSF World Amateur Championships, I made the only 147 break during the event – which was also my first maximum. These ideas helped me cross the finishing line of the 147 successfully – I could not have done it without you, Nic!"
Khalid Ali Kamali
Dubai, UAE
"Nic Barrow started coaching me when I started playing snooker. All the lessons he taught me over the years on simple basics helped me to recently win the Gulf Junior Championships three times in a row, as well as the Arabian under 21 Championships."
Testimonial from Ben Bailey – business owner and snooker enthusiast
Testimonial from Lee, who has made over 100 century breaks
