SCA - SJCA Merger Update

The Councils of the Scottish Chess Association and Scottish Junior Chess Association have both resolved to embrace the concept of a merger from July 2001. A merger is seen by both Councils as the potentially best option for maximising development of chess in Scotland.

Questions and answers on the merger: The questions below were asked by players at the Edinburgh Congress, and responses agreed by the Steering Group. If you have further questions to ask, please e-mail Office@ChessScotland.com - further Q&As will be posted on the website in due course

Has an approach been made to the Scottish parliament re funding and support?

The Scottish Chess Association already receives funding from the Scottish Executive Education Department.

Do you intend to incorporate the SCCA into SCF as well? Should the BCF change its name?

Our energies are directed at exploring the practicalities of merging the SCA and SJCA, following both organisations embracing the principle last year. Merging the SCA and SCCA would need a similar desire to merge which simply doesn't exist at present. The BCF has indicated to us (and Wales and Ireland) that they wish to change their name to English after their centenary in 2004. We will be discussing the implications of the change with them in the coming months.

Is it possible to have a pilot congress with no or much reduced prize money?

It is of course open to any congress organiser to organise their event on this basis if they wish.

Please ensure the juniors remain as strong and well supported as they have been in the past as they are our future - without them there will be no chess clubs

One of the reasons for the change is to give greater focus to the development of junior chess. The amount of junior activity is actually currently at a low point compared to the last few decades and there needs to be commitment to reversing that trend at grass roots level.

What interest does the SCA have in junior chess apart from using it to fund raise?

The SCA already spends a four figure sum supporting young players who represent Scotland internationally. There is no basis for suggesting that juniors will be used to fund raise.

Why is chess in Scotland not getting any lottery money - lack of funds is causing many congresses to wind up?

Talk from time to time of trying to secure lottery money has not been translated into effective applications. Giving better focus to this type of development work needs to be a priority of any merged organisation. Congresses have suffered from increased expenditure especially in the cost of premises. One option to reduce costs by lower prizes is suggested above. Another option is to increase entry fees, which would still make fees highly competitive compared to most other weekend pastimes.

Will this mean the SCA will continue to subsidise junior membership concessions at congress etc?

Congresses very often give reductions in entry fees to SCA and SJCA members. In the case of SCA membership, the SCA encourages this approach by lower grading charges. There is no intention of changing this.

Would you accept that a major decision of this kind should be by means of a referendum of all SCA and/or SJCA members?

Constitutionally, both organisations need to resolve at general meetings to proceed with a merger. If both organisations agree, we would then expect to have an inaugural general meeting of the merged organisation. A referendum would have no constitutional standing. We are however happy to encourage the widest possible expression of views.

John Glendinning President (SCA)

Rod Tweedie President (SJCA)