MATCHROOM POOL TEAMS UP WITH PRINCESS ROYAL HOSPITAL TO BRING SMILES TO CHILDREN IN TELFORD

While the world’s top nine-ball stars battle it out at the UK Open Pool Championship at the Telford International Centre, Matchroom Multisport CEO Emily Frazer and commentator Jeremy Jones took time on Thursday afternoon to visit the Children’s Ward at Princess Royal Hospital, just 15 minutes from the venue.

Armed with t-shirts and gifts, the Matchroom Pool team brought smiles to young patients and their families, spending time chatting and sharing stories about the sport of nine-ball pool and the exciting event taking place in town. The visit offered a moment of joy and a meaningful distraction to children being treated on the ward, which caters to patients from just a few days old up to 18 years.

The Princess Royal Hospital has been at the heart of children’s care in Shropshire since opening in 2014. With a strong emphasis on creating a positive environment during hospital stays, the Play Team is dedicated to finding engaging, uplifting experiences for young patients. The ward even includes a school room with a half-scale pool table, where Jeremy Jones treated staff to a few friendly games and a demonstration of Nineball—sparking what could become a new favourite activity on the ward.

As part of its ongoing commitment to community engagement, Matchroom Pool has invited several young people from the hospital living with long-term conditions—such as cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes—and their families to attend the final day of the UK Open Pool Championship on Sunday, 11 May. The group will experience the buzz of the arena firsthand as the 2025 UK Open Champion is crowned.

This visit is just one of many initiatives Matchroom Pool has implemented to build lasting relationships with local communities across the World Nineball Tour calendar. Earlier in the week, the event hosted its inaugural ‘Race to 5K’—a community run with over 30 participants taking to a local park. In addition, Matchroom Pool partnered with a local Telford pool hall to distribute complimentary tickets for the UK Open, ensuring more local fans can enjoy top-tier nine-ball action.

Speaking on the visit, Matchroom Multisport CEO Emily Frazer said:

“It warmed my heart to see how our visit to Ward 19 at Princess Royal Hospital impacted both the staff and patients there this afternoon. Just a small gesture can have such a significant impact at really tough times in people’s lives. It was particularly great to spend time with the staff, who do a great job caring for the kids on the ward. We feel that Telford is the home of the UK Open Pool Championship, and we are keen to deepen our relationship with the community here.”

Kerry Davies, Youth Worker on the ward, added:

“A huge thanks to Emily, JJ, and the team for visiting the Children’s Ward at PRH this afternoon. Visits to the ward make a real difference to the patients and their families—they provide a great distraction to those children and young people receiving treatment. Having chatted to patients and staff, we might have a few more Nineball fans!”

With every event it delivers, Matchroom Pool remains committed to leaving a positive impact not only on the table, but off it too—building meaningful connections with the people and places that welcome the world of nine-ball.