14-03-2014, 10:09 AM
Slightly different angle on the grading discussion, my club discussed becoming a 'CSMember Club' last season and eventually decided against it. The only real benefit was being able to grade internal club games (the new Spens/Rich Cup rules meant no club memership was required to enter).
However rather than pay for the volume of games it was just a set membership fee. I can't find the information on this site, but if I recall correctly it is something like £24 m/ship fee if your a small club with less than 12 members and £36 I think if your a bigger club.
My point would be, clubs are typicaly paying £36 however many graded games they submit as I understand it. Correct me if I am wrong. But you could be submitting 20 graded games a season or 220 games and it will still cost £36 as I understand it. This probably could do with a bit of adjustment in the cost setting? I'd quite like it if my gas/elec bills had a small membership cost rather than pay for what I use!
Turning attention back to the hot potato issue of junior grading fees, I can see why the current setup is a concern, but I am inclined to support junior grading getting a 'free ride' as many may see it, and would rather there were ideas formed on how to offset those costs. I think this has been a good thing, and Scottish Chess should be proud of having covered junior grading for all this time. When I was a junior I never paid any attention to the costs of playing chess. When people are talking in terms of 'juniors should pay their way', I respect the argument and sound reasons for the issue, but we need to remember it is the parents who are paying for their chess.
However rather than pay for the volume of games it was just a set membership fee. I can't find the information on this site, but if I recall correctly it is something like £24 m/ship fee if your a small club with less than 12 members and £36 I think if your a bigger club.
My point would be, clubs are typicaly paying £36 however many graded games they submit as I understand it. Correct me if I am wrong. But you could be submitting 20 graded games a season or 220 games and it will still cost £36 as I understand it. This probably could do with a bit of adjustment in the cost setting? I'd quite like it if my gas/elec bills had a small membership cost rather than pay for what I use!
Turning attention back to the hot potato issue of junior grading fees, I can see why the current setup is a concern, but I am inclined to support junior grading getting a 'free ride' as many may see it, and would rather there were ideas formed on how to offset those costs. I think this has been a good thing, and Scottish Chess should be proud of having covered junior grading for all this time. When I was a junior I never paid any attention to the costs of playing chess. When people are talking in terms of 'juniors should pay their way', I respect the argument and sound reasons for the issue, but we need to remember it is the parents who are paying for their chess.