Why EJCOA is Standing for ECF Director for Junior Chess and Education

2 July 2021

The English Junior Coaches and Organisers Association (EJCOA) is putting forward a candidate for the post of English Chess Federation Director of Junior Chess & Education at the October 2021 AGM with the following objectives:

- To restore English junior chess to the position of one of the world’s leading chess nations, with the goal of producing 5 new GMs and 10 new IMs over the next 10 years;

- To develop junior chess at all levels, from junior clubs and schools all the way up to national level, with equal opportunities for all girls and boys, regardless of gender, ethnicity, social and educational background or any other circumstances;

- To develop high-quality coaching and chess education for juniors and adults at all levels, and provide professional training for coaches, working closely together with the European Chess Union and the FIDE Trainers Commission.

- To provide all girls and boys with the opportunity to play and study chess to the level that suits them.

To achieve these goals, we propose that the Directorate be run not solely by a single Director, but by that person working together with a professional team of coaches, players and junior organisers, with first-hand experience of playing and coaching at an international level.

We also pledge that the Junior Chess and Education Directorate will be run transparently and fairly for all involved in junior chess, with any potential conflicts of interest referred to an Independent Junior Chess Oversight Committee, elected directly by ECF members annually.

We invite all ECF members and chess organisations represented on the ECF Council to support our campaign, and are happy to send a speaker to your meeting (either online or in person) to explain why we are standing and to answer your questions.

The EJCOA Board
July 2, 2021