Rather than calling for applications, a nomination process is used. Any coach or state organisation and nominate players. The NECG co-ordinators will ask the state organisation to verify that the player wishes to be part of NECG and then a selection is done.

Reason : in 2004 many good players did not apply, because they did not feel they were good enough (not all players and parents are arrogant!).

Instead of 3 camps during the year, 1 big camp held in October, with 3 days of coaching and a tournament.

Reason : 3 camps was very demanding on parents time and money. Many felt that 1 day of coaching was just too little – this way topics could be extended and 3 days of coaching was more worthwhile for money spent on travel and accommodation.

Not tie the camp to an adult tournament.

Reason : With three days of coaching the whole camp was becoming very long and tiring, if tied to an adult comp as well. Also often it was logistically difficult to find comps that fitted in with the school holidays.

Have a recommended list of adult tournaments that squad members should take part in (at least 1 is mandatory, plus either the Aus Championships/Reserves/Open/ Juniors. ) The other condition of 1 ACF rated tournament a rating period still applies.

Possible Squad tournament list for 2005

March

5 – 7 Ballarat Begonia Open

25 - 28 Doeberl Cup

April

Australian Young Masters and Junior Masters, Sydney

June

11 - 13 Victorian Open. Melbourne

11 – 13 NSW Open, Sydney

July

2-3 Caloundra Open

9 - 10 Adelaide University Open

18-30 World Age Championships, Belfort, France

ANU Open, Canberra

August

September

1-11(approx) Malaysian Open and Merdeka Team tournament

October

NECG Squad Meeting

December

10 – 20 approx Asian Junior Ch’ps or Cairnhill Chess Festival, Singapore

28 – Jan 9 Australian Junior Championships

January 2005

Late January Queenstown Open, New Zealand

Other Coaching

To extend the amount of coaching a mini-squad could be held after major weekenders – up to 3 per year. This would mainly be local squad members and perhaps a few strong local non-squad members. A visiting IM or GM could act as coach. Games from the tournament could be analysed.

E-mail mentoring

An e-mail mentoring group could be set up. This would consist of 3 people with experience in junior matters. It would be first point of contact for squad members and parents. Could field technical questions such as "What is a good book to help with middle-games" and other questions such as "how do I apply for selection for the Asian Juniors".

Squad Size

Increase from 20 to a minimum of 20 and maximum of 30, depending on quality of candidates.

Reason : Very hard to limit it to 20 last year and the quality and quantity of candidates seems to be increasing. 30 is still a manageable number for a camp and tournament.