Ø establish a point system
Ø establish the number of places that receive prizes (we propose 10 for each age group)
Maybe something such as,
For any tournament:
1 point for showing up;
1 point for every game played;
Another 1 point if they happen to win the game
For children's events, multiply the points by four.
Maybe you could give prizes to those scoring over a certain number of points. And maybe those who are not able to travel to tournaments often may be helped in creating children's tournaments in their local area. The incentive to create tournaments could increase the number of events in the long run.
If the cost of prizes for lots of kids is an issue, do you think that a type of 'Hall of Fame' would help? Those scoring a certain number of wins could have their name etched onto a plaque.
o beginner corner etc.
Ø collect cool ideas for improving tournament quality
o English system of colored badges etc.
What if all beginner stands had packs of 30 kyu badges to hand out to anyone who tried out the game? I suspect that it may help some first-timers already feel part of the go community, and they can remember go by something they've achieved as well as by promotional material. Companies are always promoting to the public, and I suspect people may have a dismissive attitude if promotion isn't combined with something tangible. As well many children, I'm sure some adults share a want for reward with minimal investment!
Ø establish best tournament format (the proposed one is U12-16-20 plus a beginner tournament), also the playing system (expert referees’ opinion required)
o simul games between advanced children and beginners,
Ø discuss possibility to add a 20-25 age group to the Grand Prix
I'll note that my use of U24 here could be U25 or U26 or anything the team decides.
How about creating six focus areas of youth development: U4(mainly promoting go to parents who may teach it to their toddlers), U8(mainly making sure all material for beginners are created with 4, 5, 6 and 7 year olds in mind), U12, U16, U20 and U24, and then using the framework to create targeted solutions for problems in each age group. For example, if girls are leaving go around 14, then a strategy for it could be implemented specifically for 12-15 year olds (U16).
With this in mind, one way of organising a youth tournament:
First, leave the first day for fun activities (in addition to boring speeches); get everyone settled down whether they are into go or not before the games begin. .t seems logical at this stage of youth development to put aspects that will motivate the most kids, such as making friends and doing fun activities, as first priority.
day 1: Speeches and activities
Second, the second and third days would be to further settle people in for the main tournament and prepare the go-motivated players for the main tournament, all the while creating an alternative tie-breaking method that might be better than SOS. For this, I propose a two-day rapid play tournament with 15x15 seconds per move. The time limits would prepare players for the GLOBIS CUP.
It will be split into U12, U16, U20 and U24 with winners from each group. During this, the beginners tournament may held on the first day and a pair go tournament on the second day.
day 2: Rapid-play rounds 1-5, Beginner Tournament(U8 focus) with an alternative Zen go event
day 3: Rapid-play rounds 6-10, Parents with Children Pair Go Tournament (U4 focus) with an alternative handicap go event
Third, combine all of the players in the rapid event into one big main tournament with long time settings in the largest hall in the building, relay the games online and provide live large-board commentary for parents that will inspire them and let the feel involved. This will take place over the remaining days of the event.
The main tournament can be a McMahon, where each child's initial score is equal to the number of games won in the rapid tournament plus additional points according to the age bracket they compete in. The age bracket bonus points could be as follows:
U24, +7
U20, +5
U16, +3
U12, +1
I believe this may let children have both the experience of playing others the same age, and playing those quite different in age but similar in level.
I think normal practice is for the winners of each age bracket to be the highest placed in the main tournament of those eligible. Also, the results of the rapid play tournament can be used as the first tie-breaker, then who won in matches against each other, then who won against each other in the rapid play, all before SOS and SOSOS.
Point Zero— hold it with the European Women Go Championship to help increase the sparse numbers in the top women's event.
I may have more ideas when I've read and thought on everything in detail. Of course I don't really know anything about organising tournaments but maybe some of the suggestions here prove a plus.
