A brief description of the role of each of the BGA committees (listed alphabetically) is given below.
Here is a list of the job description of the posts on these committees.
Here is a list of the current officers.
This committee provides the books and equipment sales service available at most tournaments as well as by post.
This encourages the formation of new Go clubs where needed and provides support and advice to new and existing clubs.
Its other primary responsibility is maintaing a healthy membership level by ensuring that attractive services are provided to BGA members.
The sole aim of this committee is to publish a high-quality Journal and Newsletter for the benefit of members. Currently the Journal is published up to four times a year and the Newsletter six times a year.
This committee exists to provide teaching and mentoring support to members who are trying to improve their game. This is done by providing game commentaries, mentoring services such as the Shodan Challenge, teaching interludes at tournaments, teaching events, correspondence courses, etc.
Ability levels are (fairly arbitrarily) divided into 5 ranges: beginner (up to 30ish kyu), novice (30ish to 20ish kyu), double figure kyus (20ish to 10 kyu), single figure kyus (9 to 1 kyu), and dans. The BGA aims to support player development at all of these levels.
This committee also monitors the ratings and grading system.
The aim of getting go as well known with the British public as chess is a long way off; but that is the direction in which we are aiming. We do this by talking to the press and radio and TV with the aim of encouraging coverage of Go and Go events, and by lobbying local and national politicians. The committee is always looking at new ways to get publicity.
Tournaments are an essential part of the UK go calendar but nearly all are organised by autonomous Go clubs rather than by the BGA itself. The Tournaments Committee exists to promote and co-ordinate all tournaments, except those specifically designed for youth, which are covered by the Youth Committee.
Normally, the BGA will provide help and advice on the timing of tournaments and will list tournament details on the BGA web site. BGA-owned equipment may be loaned for tournaments and a guide for tournament organisers is provided. See the job descriptions of the Tournament Co-ordinator and the Tournament Equipment Co-ordinator for more details.
Online tournaments are now organised by the BGA and are expected to grow in importance in the future.
Officials on this committee design, maintain, and keep up to date the BGA web site.
The Youth Committee exists to promote go amongst young people up to the age of about 18. In this context, youth ends when school ends, so that, for example, the Student Development Co-ordinator, who is responsible for promoting Go in universities and colleges, is on the Clubs and Membership Committee rather than the Youth Committee.
An important part of the work of the Youth Committee is the encouragement of teaching Go and supporting clubs in schools, and the organisation of the UK Go Challenge (13x13 tournament for schools).
Young players are, of course, welcomed and encouraged to attend adult tournaments and other events generally (accompanied by a responsible adult). The role of the Youth Committee is in connection with initiatives aimed at youth specifically.