9. Player Development

9. Player Development Jon Diamond

9.1 General

Council intends to expand the amount of player development activity within the Association, both in general and targeted to specific groups (for example, players of a given strength, women, youth ...). Financial and other help will be given to appropriate player development projects, and the same facilities are available for them as are given to tournaments (see 6.4 - 6.8 above). Members wanting to organise player development events or projects can contact our Tournament Coordinator, our National Trainer, the Chairman of the Player Development Committee, or any Council member.

9.2 Dan Visits

We normally pay 50% of the travel expenses of dan players visiting clubs to teach, on the basis that the club is expected to pay the other 50%. These default terms may be varied when appropriate. Club secretaries wishing to organise such visits are requested to contact the Chairman of the Player Development Committee in advance to discuss the arrangements.

9.3 Teaching Events

We arrange a number of teaching events around the country. Participants are expected to make a contribution towards costs. Setting these costs will be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Player Development Committee, with benchmark fees for 2010 of ￡4 for a half-day, ￡7.50 for a full day. These rates will be doubled if the teacher is of professional strength. Any costs in excess of those contributed by the participants will be covered by us. Clubs wishing to arrange such an event should contact the Chairman of the Player Development Committee .

9.4 Teaching

We encourage our members to teach, coach and mentor other players.

We operate a formal process of obtaining feedback from students in order to ensure teaching quality.

Currently the BGA has two levels of accreditation:

General level: For Go teachers who will normally be teaching adults. This level also includes individuals who help teach young people in a supervised setting. (For example: helping to teach young people Go in a classroom where a teacher is present. This would not fall under the criteria of ‘regulated activity’ as defined by the Home Office).

Accredited to teach young people: This level is for anyone who may be regularly teaching children or young people in a situation where there is no DBS checked supervisor. (For example: running a weekly Go Club for young people alongside a parent. This is likely to fall under the definition of ‘regulated activity’).

[For a further explanation of ‘regulated activity’ and the legal implications of this please see the BGA's Policy and Procedures for checking criminal records].

All accredited teachers must meet the following requirements:-

  • Be in receipt of positive feedback from students
  • Studied our "Guide to Teaching Go to Beginners"
  • Such teachers will be accredited to teach players at least 4 stones weaker than themselves.

In addition teachers wishing to be Accredited to teach young people must also:

  1. Confirm that they’ve read the BGA policy on Working with Children and Young People.

  2. Provide clear DBS certificate dated within the past three years (the BGA can assist an individual to apply for a DBS check).

  3. Provide two references using the BGA reference form. One reference at least should be from outside the Go community.

  4. Have experience of teaching go to young people.

Accreditation

Accreditation will be undertaken by the Player Development Committee. Teachers who wish to apply for accreditation should contact this committee with evidence that they have met the requirements. Accreditation requires at least 2 members of the Committee to vote in favour, with no member voting against.

Useful Links:

Guide to Teaching Go to Beginners

Chapter 4 of the Club Organiser’s Handbook.

For more information on teaching Go please email: teaching at britgo.org

For information and advice on issues relating to child protection and DBS checks please email the Child Protection Advisor.