21-12-2011, 08:10 AM
Quote:Comments anyone ?
It's Christmas.
So I won't say how bananas I think this whole EGO statistical approach is! :-)
Phil ,do you see any other potential factors at play other than your influence? on all juniors in Scotland?
Where i.e. would you rank 'the juniors' own efforts at getting good at the game?
How important would you see good parental support? or the support of a mentor at club level? being.
Do you think people love the game enough to want to get good at it because of you? Do you think when a
junior studies a chess book it's a reflection on you?
It may be helpful for you to know that I for one don't hold you accountable for any improvements or decline in overall junior performance at any age group. Our success as a Chess Community will be determined by how many good coaches and supporters (parents and mentors from the Chess playing community) we can
encourage to get involved. It will then be important to appreciate and recognise everybody's effort and not highlight your own contribution. With most praise being reserved to the actual juniors who progress themselves.
I do though think that the idea that you seem to have that this all centres on you is unhealthy and a bit demoralising to others who have been putting in a lot of effort.
The future of Chess has to be about all the committed volunteers throughout Scotland. i.e. in Aberdeen it will be about the longstanding adult Chess players, many of whom coach junior chess players locally, About the talented juniors in the North East of Scotland. 3 out of 5 in your highest risers list with one in Inverness and one in Oban. About NEJCA where volunteers give their services without thought of personal gain.
There are many chess players, parents and coaches giving fantastic support to junior chess players throughout Scotland. You are one of those and emphasising your influence above all else is in my opinion unhelpful.