The first World Amateur Snooker Championship was held in 1963, and, after the second event in 1966, had been played every two years since.

[1] The 1980 tournament was held at the Albert Hall in Launceston, Tasmania[2] from 26 October to 9 November 1980, with 28 participants playing in four seven-player round-robin groups followed by a knockout to determine the champion.

[4] Jimmy White, aged 17, was the top seed in the event,[5] and reached the final where he played Ron Atkins.

[1] Atkins, president of the Tasmanian snooker association, and a resident of Launceston, had entered the competition as late replacement,[6] filling a place vacated by Chris Cooper from the Isle of Man.

[7] White led 9–1 after the first session and won the match 11–2, becoming the youngest player to win the World Amateur Championship.