Backing for potential champions

[Michele Clack]

It would be good if the ECF had the money to provide more back up to David Howell. The competition is hot but David clearly has a lot of talent. He was up against it with all the travelling to the World Juniors and not much time to aclimatise. A year with access to Nigel as a coach and other things perhaps like the sports psychologist employed by the cycling people would help. As with anything else, you are not going to win the big competitions without careful preparation. The cycling people have shown what can be done even in a relatively small country like ours if you get the right systems in place.

What about setting up a separate charity designated for just this sort of 'champion development'. This might open up more possible areas of funding without precluding the ECF making specific grants.

[Matthew Turner]

Michele,
I think David is getting in the region of £5,000 of support for the World Junior. This is coming from various sources (£2,000 from British Land), but a lot is coming from the ECF in various guises. David has had quite a lot of money from English Chess over the years, so it is not true to say that there is no support out there and perhaps the ECF needs to be more proactive in promoting how much support it gives 'potential champions'.

[Michele Clack]

I'm glad David has had some help but I was just using him as an example. I was thinking more of an organised set up in place to support players with David's level of potential, to help them make that final push. There is such a thin dividing line between success and failure and the right support at the right time could make a difference. Nigel Short had little help and he got so close to world number 1.

I think that such a project would be much easier to sell to potential sponsors and private donors than general chess funding.There could even be a TV series in it.

[Matthew Turner]

Michele,
I certainly agree with all that. For example it may be (and it may not be) that what David needs is a trainer rather than a coach. Picking up on another thread, it is perfectly conceivable that Lawrence Cooper is better qualified for this role than Nigel Short. If we had £5,000 to spend on supporting David Howell it is possble that this would be better utilised on sending lawrence with him to Belgium and a number of other events rather than blowing the whole lot on the World Junior.
What is required is an action plan for a very few elite performers, which might not require that much funding. It 'just' requires someone with the appropriate expertise to put procedures in place. However, that is quite a big 'just'

[Ben Purton]

I am with Matt here,

Last year he went with Sarah and Lawerence and Howell was like helping Sarah prepare instead of stressing heavily himself.

I think someone on a supportive role is needed more than a coach at that level.

Kind regards

Ben

PS: Before you say well you need someone to help with chess..........not when they suggest the Birds.