Chess Scotland Noticeboard

June Devenny · Pawn Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

I would like to thank all persons who give of their time voluntarily to run junior chess events and also coach our current junior chess players, but feel that I have to single out Phil Thomas in particular. Jacqui, Andy and many others (you all know who you are) have worked particularly hard this year assisting Phil in his task as International Director Chess Scotland. I know that a great deal of time and effort goes into the planning and indeed the staging of the prestigious Junior events (most recently the Glorney and Faber in Glasgow.) We need dedicated, experienced people who are passionate in their quest to bring chess to the up and coming younger generation, after all without new young talent coming up through the ranks, there would be no future adult chess players! Phil is a fantastic ambassador with a wealth of experience at his fingertips, including his skills as a fully qualified Chess Coach and Arbiter. He has a great rappor with children when coaching and has the ability to put the chess learner at ease so that they soak up the information in a fun environment. I have watched him coaching various youngsters over the past few months at the Informal Chess Club held in the Busby Hotel on a Tuesday night. The youngsters come back to the club, week in, week out because they are learning Chess and most importantly enjoying their new sport as well! I hope that Phil is successful in his bid to gain a second year in office as International Director Chess Scotland as he thoroughly deserves to be given the chance to build upon a very successful first year in the post. Very Happy