Glorney Teams

[Andrew McHarg]

I disagree with previous posters comparing chess to football, swimming etc. There are far fewer overheads involved in setting up a chess board or an internet connection and the cost base should be in proportion.

The cost of a product or service isn't the only factor in determining the price of it for the end user. It costs £10 to buy a football, so maybe all football coaches should offer their services at rock-bottom prices (or free) too?

We will never grow as a chess playing nation unless as a larger group we contribute more for less.

As desirable as it may be, this won't happen. Why won't it happen? Because it never has happened and there's no logical reason why that'll change! We have a hard enough job just filling the positions that are currently there. Not everyone is as dedicated as guys like Andy Howie. But I also disagree that this precludes us from growing as a Chess-playing nation.

I want chess to grow among the wider population not have it priced out of parents pockets and dwindle both in numbers playing and ability level, as I fear will happen if nothing changes.

Chess is not pricey, as has already been stated (with the notable exception of juniors attending international events). I spent more on coffee last year than I did on Chess, and I usually drink tea! I agree with Clement on this. If parents want top quality coaches who are dedicated at what they do (and we do have these) then parents must expect to pay for that in the same way they will pay for piano lessons or tennis club membership. I also agree with Derek and David in that the coaches currently are not charging huge hourly rates; and tend to throw in quite a few freebies along the way. For parents who have very talented juniors but can't afford the coaching (and I do think this is an exception rather than the rule), perhaps the coaching fees could be covered by CS. This would be something worth considering in my view, but I certainly wouldn't try to force the coach to do the coaching free of charge.