Exploring aspects of cognitive development and mental health awareness as part of health promotional goal in snooker

The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether playing snooker sustains development of mental cognition from acquiring and developing knowledge of the game of snooker for the ‘everyday snooker player’ that plays snooker as a hobby or pastime. A total of 1,352 participants has taken part in the Snooker Insight Survey and responded to a variety of questions that covered different aspects of snooker. This study investigated some of the theoretical concepts of cognitive development, mental concentration and other underpinning aspects of mental health in sport, with a view of looking specifically through the lens of ‘everyday snooker player’. Outcomes suggest that the game can be considered as a positive health promotional activity, which can also help to develop an individual knowledge, concentration and focus as an activity of living, as well as proposing that the game of snooker is being used as an encouraging and supportive activity that can potentially benefit an individual’s mental health and well-being. This work poses an opportunity for further research relating to health and snooker in the future, especially to explore a variety of dimensions associated with snooker from an array of topics that centre on a very broad and holistic scope around issues in health and social care needs of individuals and communities.