Youth Go and Us

The British Go Association is constantly trying to improve junior Go in this country. In the past few years, many things have been done to teach more youngsters about Go, make it easier for juniors to learn Go and to give young Go players more opportunities to play and to improve.

For example:

• The UK Go Challenge was set up in 2004, to allow schools to compete in a tournament with local heats and a national final. It was an immediate success, with more than 400 players from 23 schools taking part in the first year.
• There's an annual British Youth Go Championship with age groups ranging from Under-8 to Under-18.
• Young players entering tournaments throughout the year win points towards the Youth Grand Prix prizes.
• We've part sponsored a number of events around the country introducing Go to schools, typically as part of the Gifted, Young and Talented programmes.
• A list of local volunteers was set up to support schools interested in Go.
• We are helping to create a Youth Go Server in conjunction with the American Go Foundation.
• Our junior web pages have just been improved.
• A set of easy cartoon rules of Go was devised and printed, and made available online.
• Our Certificate Scheme was launched in 2006 - juniors can improve and win certificates by learning from a series of puzzles.
• Friendly game sessions are held online monthly on a Sunday afternoon.
• Some months a youth tournament is held online on a Sunday.
• Schools are eligible for a grant for the purchase of books and equipment, travel or the expenses of a Go teacher.
• Online teaching sessions are held for improving players.
• A residential summer training camp is held each summer.

We hope to carry on making things better for junior Go players, with continuing to develop online Go a priority.

Please let us know if you have your own ideas of how you would like to see junior Go in this country develop.

Policies

Here are some useful guidelines (described as policies) for youth Go activities.

• Our Working with children and Young People
• Our Guidelines for Volunteers Visiting Schools