SOUTHEND based snooker star Matt Glasby is gunning for more glory in the under 21 World Championships in China next week.

The 21-year-old flies out to Beijing on Friday after winning the English Amateur Snooker and Billiards Association Premier Tour.

And Glasby cannot wait to take on the very best young players on the planet as he strives towards his dream of becoming a professional.

“I’m going out to Beijing on Friday and I’m really looking to it,” said Glasby.

“It’s going to be a lot of travelling but I’ve prepared well for it and I feel ready for what lies ahead.

“My plan is to just take it ball by ball, frame by frame and not really look too far ahead but it’s definitely going to be the biggest tournament I’ve ever played in.

“The winner gets a professional tour card which is my dream and what I’m working towards so of course I would love to go there and win it.

“But right now I’m not looking beyond my first game.”

Glasby - who has a highest competitive break of 124 - will also be heading into the event full of confidence.

The former Shoebury High School pupil produced a number of fine performances to claim the Premier Tour title.

And he is now eager to build on the triumph.

“It was a great feeling to go there and win,” said Glasby, who is in his last year as a junior player.

“Going into it I just made sure I tried my best.

“I knew I had to have a good run in it to qualify for the World Championships and thankfully I did.

“The Premier Tour was a series of six events.

“It started with a group stage and when you get through that you go into the knockout.

“Manchester was the last one and I was fourth in the rankings going into it.

“I needed to be in the top two to make sure I went to China so I knew I had to go deep into the draw.

“But to go there and win it was an amazing feeling and obviously now I want to make sure I build on it.”

With that in mind, Glasby has been training hard at his Pockets Snooker Club base in Southend.

“I practice for six to eight hours every day,” said Glasby.

“I’m feeling good and hopefully that will show in China.”

>Glasby is also on the lookout for sponsors.

For more details contact 01702 468890.