06-08-2012, 09:17 AM
What do we define as success??
Lets take the Olympiad team as an example. They are going to be seeded 60ish, maybe lower. What are we taking as a measurement of success for that team? Normally we compare v where they are in the seeding, should we not be doing that for the Juniors?
Now look at the Euro, where we are indirectly discussing Ian. What would be success for him? Call me old fashioned but If he goes there and learns from the coaching, from the games and comes back a better player then that is a success. The score is irrelevant. It is what is learnt that is invaluable. Lets say Ian then goes on when he is a bit older and does as Calum, Andrew and others are doing and start to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of up and coming juniors. Is that not funding well spent? What if is exploits are highlighted in his school and brings more into the game, is that not a success as well? Apologies Angus for using Ian but as he seems to be highlighted, I really want to show to people that success is simply not a score on a wallchart.
There are two ways we can go, we can try to produce an elite squad or we can give our Juniors the opportunity to represents Scotland. I would say at the moment that with the funding and infrastructure we have, we would be foolish to try and produce an elite squad and we should be trying to give opportunities for representation.
We have some talented juniors that we are trying to do the best with relying on peanuts and the serious good will of parents. Whilst I would not have an objection to a realistic minimum grade (and one that would have historically meant that only 9 in history would have represented Scotland for an age group is not realistic) we need to get behind the squad 150%.
Pretty soon we are going to have to embrace the FIDE coaching system. There are already moves to have it brought in so that for a Coach to go to Euro or Worlds, they would have to be accredited. If that succeeds then will it have an effect on the coaching in the country? Of course it won't!
For the record, I do and always will believe in anyone who goes to represent us.
Lets take the Olympiad team as an example. They are going to be seeded 60ish, maybe lower. What are we taking as a measurement of success for that team? Normally we compare v where they are in the seeding, should we not be doing that for the Juniors?
Now look at the Euro, where we are indirectly discussing Ian. What would be success for him? Call me old fashioned but If he goes there and learns from the coaching, from the games and comes back a better player then that is a success. The score is irrelevant. It is what is learnt that is invaluable. Lets say Ian then goes on when he is a bit older and does as Calum, Andrew and others are doing and start to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of up and coming juniors. Is that not funding well spent? What if is exploits are highlighted in his school and brings more into the game, is that not a success as well? Apologies Angus for using Ian but as he seems to be highlighted, I really want to show to people that success is simply not a score on a wallchart.
There are two ways we can go, we can try to produce an elite squad or we can give our Juniors the opportunity to represents Scotland. I would say at the moment that with the funding and infrastructure we have, we would be foolish to try and produce an elite squad and we should be trying to give opportunities for representation.
We have some talented juniors that we are trying to do the best with relying on peanuts and the serious good will of parents. Whilst I would not have an objection to a realistic minimum grade (and one that would have historically meant that only 9 in history would have represented Scotland for an age group is not realistic) we need to get behind the squad 150%.
Pretty soon we are going to have to embrace the FIDE coaching system. There are already moves to have it brought in so that for a Coach to go to Euro or Worlds, they would have to be accredited. If that succeeds then will it have an effect on the coaching in the country? Of course it won't!
For the record, I do and always will believe in anyone who goes to represent us.
"How sad to see, what used to be, a model of decorum and tranquility become like any other sport, a battleground for rival ideologies to slug it out with glee"