29-11-2012, 12:38 AM
I am not all that keen on statistics for trying to explain things, at least not chess wise, but some raw figures...
Females/ total players...
Euroyouth Prague 2012 3/13 23%
World Youth Maribor 2012 2/11 18%
Liverpool Quadrangular 2012 (starts Saturday) 4/28 14%
SNCL 5/207 2.4 %
Please don't pick at the ball park rounded figures. I am not sure what this really tells us long term and am very open to suggestions but I want to highlight something that I feel is a factor in maintaining junior female players interest and that is a very supportive chess playing family where a sibling and/or parent(s) also play. For example...
Ali Roy
Alice Lampard
Monica Espinosa
Cristina Espinosa
Anna Milton
Maryann McDonald
Kirsty McCusker
Lauren Bond
Stuthi Hegde
Leora Wadler
Megan Copeland
Caitlin Reid
Another thing we don't lack is incredibly enthusiastic international adult lady players who have been truly wonderful in supporting our juniors at all levels, from local primary school to Glorney/Faber level.
Older juniors like Ali and Alice have told me they have continued playing because they really enjoyed representing Scotland at home and international events and felt very comfortable because they knew most of the squad from a relatively young age and have taken part in multiple events with them. We need to keep this spirit going.
Females/ total players...
Euroyouth Prague 2012 3/13 23%
World Youth Maribor 2012 2/11 18%
Liverpool Quadrangular 2012 (starts Saturday) 4/28 14%
SNCL 5/207 2.4 %
Please don't pick at the ball park rounded figures. I am not sure what this really tells us long term and am very open to suggestions but I want to highlight something that I feel is a factor in maintaining junior female players interest and that is a very supportive chess playing family where a sibling and/or parent(s) also play. For example...
Ali Roy
Alice Lampard
Monica Espinosa
Cristina Espinosa
Anna Milton
Maryann McDonald
Kirsty McCusker
Lauren Bond
Stuthi Hegde
Leora Wadler
Megan Copeland
Caitlin Reid
Another thing we don't lack is incredibly enthusiastic international adult lady players who have been truly wonderful in supporting our juniors at all levels, from local primary school to Glorney/Faber level.
Older juniors like Ali and Alice have told me they have continued playing because they really enjoyed representing Scotland at home and international events and felt very comfortable because they knew most of the squad from a relatively young age and have taken part in multiple events with them. We need to keep this spirit going.