Interview | Neville Helou

Australia’s Neville Helou is a newcomer to the Group 1+2 classification and a shining example of the global growth of the World Disability Billiards & Snooker (WDBS) tour in recent years.

The 58-year-old, who lives in New South Wales in Australia, has made the long journey to England on two occasions this year to compete with the world’s best wheelchair snooker players at the 2024 Hull Open and 2024 UK Disability Championship.

We recently caught up with Neville to learn more about his story.

You travelled a long way to compete in the recent UK Disability Snooker Championship – tell us about your journey.

Yes, I came all the way from Australia! I travelled from the Central Coast in New South Wales – I just love playing snooker and, unfortunately, in Australia we don’t have many disability competitions yet so I came to the UK to play.

The journey took 20 hours by plane, and then a further four hours by train so it’s a long way!

You came to Northampton with your fellow Australian player Dave Nicholson – how long have you known Dave?

I had known Dave for about four weeks before the event! It was Dave’s first time in England and I think maybe even on an aeroplane!

He read about my story on Facebook. He has had MS (multiple sclerosis) for about three years and loves playing snooker. He asked me what I thought and I told him that everybody at the WDBS is so friendly and even if you don’t play well, you will have a great time and meet some really good people.

When did you first start playing snooker?

In about 1995. I had about eight years off when I was travelling around Australia but I’ve been playing for quite a while now! My highest break at the moment is around 40, I am hoping to hit a half-century one day!

I currently play at a club called the Mingara Recreation Club which is in the Central Coast, where I live, and they’ve got five tables.

Can you tell us about your disability and how it affects your snooker?

I contracted polio when I was nine months old so, in a way, I feel lucky because I have never known any different. It does affect my snooker because it affects my muscles and so leaning down on the table is hard.

But I always think that if you want to do something in life then you have just got to get out there and give it a go and this is what I am trying to show people in Australia – even if you have a disability, you shouldn’t stay at home and feel sorry for yourself. Get out there and do what you can.

How did you first find out about the WDBS tour?

I found out about it on Facebook a couple of years ago. I’ve always loved playing snooker. I play at home against able-bodied people and I thought, why not try playing against people who share my disability – and I’ve got to say, they are pretty good!

You made your WDBS debut at the Hull Open in May, tell us about that event.

The weekends are great! Everybody is really friendly and the facilities are great.

The standard and the quality of the play was unbelievable. I’m not a bad player myself and they’re a lot better than I am!

The only thing I did wrong that time was that I didn’t come early enough and so I was really jetlagged as I was only in England for a day before the competition started. But I’ve got no complaints whatsoever and I didn’t want to go home to be honest with you!

Hull was a great place, I would love to go back there again next year.

The WDBS tour is becoming more and more global, would you like to see an event in Australia one day?

Of course, I would love to see an event in Australia one day! I would love to become an Australian ambassador for the WDBS and I’d like to start a competition in Australia. It is a long way for people to travel but it is definitely on the cards and I would love to do that. I know a couple of venues that would be suitable for a competition.

Are you hoping to get to more events this season?

Yes, I am hoping to get to Thailand in February for the World Championships and then potentially the World Abilitysport Games in Indonesia next year too. Those events are a lot closer to home than the UK!

What would you say to someone who is considering joining the WDBS?

Give it a go. If you’re really passionate about playing snooker on the world stage against people with similar disabilities then give it a go because you never know what might happen and it is a great opportunity. I would recommend it to anybody!