A few simple rules ... limitless possibilities
Council and Officials
Council
As described in the Constitution, the administrative body of the British Go Association is the Council (see the Council News page for summaries of minutes of recent Council meetings and AGMs). At the AGM the three Officers of the Association, the Honorary President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, are elected and become ex-officio Council members. Five other Council members are also elected and further members may be co-opted. In addition the AGM appoints an Auditor and Council can appoint Life Members and Vice-Presidents.
To contact a BGA officer click here.
If in doubt, contact the Chair of the relevant committee.
The historic list shows Officers and Council members in previous years.
| Role | Job Description | Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| President |
The President takes the chair at any official Association General Meeting or Council Meeting, and represents the Association at formal events and in the Association's relations with other organisations. |
Toby Manning |
 |
| Secretary |
The Secretary maintains the day-to-day communications of the Council and keeps minutes of all meetings, General and Council. |
Jonathan Chin |
 |
| Treasurer |
The Treasurer controls the finances of the Association, preparing annual accounts and a report for approval by members at the AGM. The Treasurer also ensures that all bills and affiliations are promptly paid, and that Council committees are properly funded and submit regular and frequent reports. |
Richard Wheeldon |
 |
| Council Member |
Elected member of Council. |
Neil Sandford |
 |
| Council Member |
Elected member of Council. |
Pat Ridley |
 |
| Council Member |
Elected member of Council. |
Gerry Gavigan |
 |
| Council Member |
Elected member of Council. |
Andrew Russell |
 |
| Council Member |
Elected member of council. |
Matt Marsh |
 |
Committees
To assist with the organisation Council has created a number of Committees, with a Council member as Chairman, and appoints members to each (known as Officials). The President is the Chairman of any Committee for whom no Chairman is shown.
| Committee | Job Description | Chairman | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clubs and Membership |
Aims to provide support and advice to new and existing Go clubs including the loan of equipment, and to encourage to formation of new clubs, especially in universities. The Committee's other main responsibility is to improve services to members wherever possible. To contact a Clubs and Membership officer, click here. |
Neil Sandford |
|
| External Relations |
The aim of getting Go as well known with the British public as chess is a long way off; however 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, often in conjunction with other mind sports. The committee is always looking at new ways to get publicity. We are also represented from time to time at appropriate exhibitions and fairs and we maintain an archive of books, magazines and publicity material for these purposes. To contact an External Relations officer click here. |
Toby Manning |
|
| London Liaison |
Provides the interface between the BGA, the London clubs and the London Go Centre. To contact a London Liaison officer click here. |
Gerry Gavigan |
|
| Marketing and Publications |
The aim of this committee is to publish a high-quality journal for the benefit of members, the monthly newsletter and any other printed and online publications, such as publicity materials (flyers, leaflets and posters). To contact a Marketing and Publications officer click here. |
Toby Manning |
|
| Online |
Responsible for the design and maintenance of the BGA web site. The site is over 10 years old and was last updated to give it a new look and feel in Spring 2008. A new version is under development. It also ensures that the BGA has an appropriate presence in the online gaming world and in social media. To contact an Online officer click here. |
Jonathan Chin |
|
| Player Development |
This exists to provide teaching and mentoring support to members who are trying to improve their game. The aim to us to raise the level of play of those who want to learn more about Go. This is done by providing game commentaries, mentoring services such as the Online Study Group, teaching interludes at tournaments, teaching events, correspondence courses, game analysis etc. for players at all levels. This committee also monitors the rating and grading system. To contact a Player Development officer click here. |
Pat Ridley |
|
| Tournaments |
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 various British Championship and other British Championships, UK Go Challenge, British Open and the London Open are the main exceptions; being organised by, or on behalf of, the Association. The Tournaments Committee exists to promote and co-ordinate all tournaments, except those specifically designed for youths, which are covered by the Youth Committee. Normally, we provide help and advice on the timing of tournaments and will list tournament details on the our web site. Association-owned equipment (boards, stones, clocks, draw program and computer) 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. To contact a Tournaments officer click here. |
Matt Marsh |
|
| Youth |
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 the teaching of Go (for instance the residential youth camp) and supporting clubs in schools, such as by 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). To contact a Youth officer click here. |
Andrew Russell |
|
| Role | Person | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Auditor |
An elected, but not Council position. The Auditor examines the accounts produced by the Treasurer and produces a report recommending acceptance or rejection on behalf of the members for an AGM or EGM. |
Tony Pitchford |
 |
| Life Member |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. Life Members are exempt from paying membership fees. |
Derek Hunter |
 |
| Life Member |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. Life Members are exempt from paying membership fees. |
Harold Lee |
 |
| Life Member |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. Life Members are exempt from paying membership fees. |
Matthew Macfadyen |
 |
| Vice-President |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. |
Tony Atkins |
 |
| Vice-President |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. |
Jon Diamond |
 |
| Vice-President |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. |
Bob Hitchens |
 |
| Vice-President |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. |
Francis Roads |
 |
| Vice-President |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. |
Peter Wendes |
 |
| Role | Person | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Member |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. Life Members are exempt from paying membership fees. |
Gerry Mills |
 |
| Life Member |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. Life Members are exempt from paying membership fees. |
Brian Timmins |
 |
| Vice-President |
An honorary title given without obligation to BGA members who have been deemed worthy of recognition for services rendered. |
T Mark Hall |
 |