YCA Junior Secretary
Report 2024
15th Grand Prix
149 juniors took part this
year which is up again from last year. Average attendance was 82, which is
the second highest ever. However, number of girls down again – just 18 this
year.
Winner this year was Aaron
Rich.
All events sold out well
in advance.
UKCC MegaFInal –
held in York again and again sold out well in advance - very good event
this year and well staffed – thanks to everyone. 112 took part (entry was
120).
Yorkshire Junior League
Thanks to Andy Wainwright
for running this.
20 teams this year with
Hull just edging Leeds Juniors out for the division one title on game
points. Great competition with 123 taking part.
EPSCA U11 team
The Yorkshire team won the
zonal competition easily in Manchester this year defeating teams from the
Northern region. However, a number of the top 10 players said they weren’t
available for the final so I withdrew the team – which was very
disappointing. The format of the EPSCA competition is under review so that
teams are reduced from 20 boards to 12. It is important that we make it
clear that if we enter the competition that it is a commitment to play in
both zones and final.
Yorkshire U18 teams
This year we entered 3
teams in the Pennine Cup. This demonstrated a great strength in depth as
all teams were competent, and our A team won the competition beating off
stiff opposition from Liverpool and Manchester, who both out graded us. I
couldn’t be at the competition for the full day so thanks to Andy for
looking after, but in the time I was there the kids were so focussed and
intent on winning it, and really supported each other which was great to
see.
Junior Clubs
There is continued growth
of junior clubs in the county and lots of competitions eg the Ilkley events
run by Andy.
Recommendations
We appoint someone to
specifically look at girls’ chess and to run girls only events.
We appoint team managers
for U11
The expansion of the
junior league providing we can find suitable venues.
We run a Yorkshire
Championship event which has age group champions and girls’ champions.
Finally
It is not the role of the
junior sec to run every event and team for juniors in the county, but to
oversee the junior scene and select youngsters to play for Yorkshire. The
more events the better, and any individual who wants to run any event or
league or oversee any team is welcomed. Indeed, we need more volunteers and
parents to do this. I am busy – I run the biggest junior club in the
county, I run Alwoodley Chess Club, I run the Grand Prix and megafinal and
I sit on three committees for various clubs/organisations, and I have
another life coaching netball which is also time consuming. I do have a lot
of years experience in junior chess and am happy to offer advice and
guidance, but I can’t DO everything. If anyone thinks they can, they are
welcome to take the role.
John Hipshon
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