WOMEN have been allowed to play snooker at the Jersey Mechanics Institute for the first time in the club’s 102-year history.

The men-only club’s annual general meeting in spring approved the rule change, but it has only been implemented in recent days because approval had to be received from the Attorney General before the decision could take effect.

The rule changes also allow juniors aged from 12 to 16 to join the Mechanics and play on the snooker tables provided they are accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult.

Previously, only youngsters aged 16 or over were permitted to join.

Club president Geoff Roscouet – who is also president of the Jersey Billiards and Snooker Association – said he had first taken a proposal to allow women to join the institute’s committee about five years ago.

‘Nobody wanted to know then, but this time round the committee and then the members voted unanimously to approve the motion,’ he said.