Cody Turner - Walter Lindrum Grant Winner 2022

Cody first picked up a cue as a young 14-year-old. He grew up with his mother in a state-owned home in Cannons Creek, Porirua. Snooker was the game of choice in Porirua at the local club, where he could go with his mum and have fun in a safe environment. He was immediately noticed as a talent and was in good company.

On the table he was lucky to have Kiwi legend Harry Haenga to guide him through his early years. Cody has not been short of top players to help him develop his game, with Daniell Haenga, based in QLD Australia, also helping Cody achieve some very good milestones.

As a 15-year-old, Cody travelled to Australia to play in the Pot Black Open where he made the semi-finals and defeat one of Australia’s best, Steve Mifsud, in the quarterfinals. In 2020, Cody won a number of NZ Ranking events, topped off with the Oceania U21 Championships, and was offered a wild card into the World Snooker championships in Sheffield. Sadly, with COVID-19 hitting just at that time, his opportunity was taken from him.

In 2019, Cody was to have a chance meeting at the Porirua Club when UK Professional Gary Wilson visited the club one evening. It was natural that Cody was there and asked Gary for a game. Two frames later and two frames down Gary said that Cody should try his luck in the UK as he had natural talent for the sport. High praise for the boy from “The Creek”.

Sadly, with the reduced tournaments in New Zealand over the 2020/21 season, it has been difficult to keep things on track. Combined with the deteriorating health of his mother in the last few years, finding time to play regularly has been difficult. In late 2021, Cody’s mum lost her battle with ill health, and passed away, but not before asking family friend and NZBSA President Mark Hannah to help Cody keep focus with the game.

Being selected to represent the Lindrum Legends brand is truly an honour and not to be taken lightly. To even be considered for such a prestigious opportunity is amazing, and a challenge Cody is hoping to do proud in 2022.

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