ROGER Leighton took a shot at coaching in China and got the maximum benefit.

Now he is on cue to do the same in Hong Kong.

He is proving to be a valuable Bolton snooker export to talented young players in the Far East.

A former professional player who reached number 88 in the world, Leighton – who moved to Horwich from Australia at 17 and was practice partner for one of the town's most famous sporting sons, Tony Knowles – then turned to coaching.

After working at home he tried his hand abroad five years ago, going to Brazil, Denmark and Serbia to coach before accepting a trial in China in November, 2015.

The then 49-year-old from Horwich impressed and became head coach of the academy where he worked.

This year he moved again, this time to Hong Kong where he is having instant success.

Currently he has one professional student and two more who are turning professional this year – one the current world under-21 champion and the other the world amateur champion.

He also coaches a 14-year-old who recently became the youngest winner of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation World Under-21 Championship.

"After working in China for three years, and being the most successful coach in China and the only western coach there, I now work for i20 Snooker Academy in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong," he said.

"I already have 130 students on my books in four months working there.

"This September for the first time in Hong Kong our academy will stage a qualifier for the World Seniors Tour UK Open in co-operation with the World Professional Snooker Association.

"I have also arranged for qualifying tournaments held in Melbourne and Sydney to send the winners to compete in our qualifying tournament."