31-07-2012, 10:15 AM
JMollison Wrote:SJC to pay for 1 years training preferably face to face and skype for those 3 players using the curriculum players that are minimum GM strength (as an example lets say from GM Jacob Aagard, GM Colin McNab and GM Keti Arakamia-Grant). In return for this coaching each of these players signs up to a contract and is required to take on 2 students each. These new students would be juniors which are approx 400 points below the teachers level. Using this pay it forward approach and the curriculum to teach standardised advanced chess training to most juniors within a few years.
If this means that SJC doesn’t have any money for tournaments et al this year or next, then so be it. It's short term pain for long term gain.
I am writing in response to your post as I think there is a little confusion over International Junior chess. So this is just to clarify SJC are independent of Chess Scotland. SJC are self sufficient financially with the help of their volunteers that support the organisation by giving their time. SJC do not receive funding from Chess Scotland or Government (SJC does receive support from CS with regards to Grading/Calendar & obviously the other admin services provided by CS as do the other independent organisations & clubs in Scotland). SJC concentrate on grass roots. SJC events have the following sections Under 300, Under 600 & Under 1000. We also run an open allegro alongside these sections for any junior players that want to take part along with siblings & parents of participants in the other sections.
In addition to SJC events (Chess for Kicks being the flagship event) SJC have been asked by Chess Scotland to run the Primary Team & Girls Championships the last 3 years.
The current Chess Scotland junior events are Primary Individual, Girls Championships, Primary Team & Secondary Team. These are under the jurisdiction of the CS home director Junior & Schools development director. International Junior events are under the CS International Junior Director.
JMollison Wrote:I also propose the reinstatement of Scottish Age Championships for Juniors for next year,
I agree, Phil & I tried to re introduce this event when the Scottish was held at Glasgow Academy in 2008 but we had a small turn out (this was the first event the Espinosa family took part in). Since that time we have been told the venue for the Scottish has been limited on space so not possible to run a junior event alongside. I personally believe to make the event ‘special’ it should be run alongside the Scottish as a morning session (on the same lines as the British). However, like all chess it relies on volunteers coming forward to run it & there are not any new volunteers coming forward to take over.
Just a quick point on the Junior Internationals. It is without doubt that most of the juniors that attend the International events come back as better players. However, is it the participation or the daily coaching they get that makes the difference?