Membership Benefits

The BGA supports and encourages the community of go players in the UK. We welcome anybody who loves the game of Go, is interested in the game or just wants to support the idea of promoting Go. Joining the BGA connects you to a group of enthusiastic Go players and a keen and dedicated organisation. Join Now! [1]

Membership entitles you to:

a subscription to the printed British Go Journal [2]
reduced entry fees for tournaments [3]
discounts on Go books and equipment [4]
the right to play in the British Championship [5] and represent the UK internationally [6]
entry into the DDK Grand Prix [7]
play in our Online Team League [8] at a reduced entry fee
receive contact details of other members in your area with the view to playing each other or forming a club and assistance with forming a club (see below)
join in the BGA's training activities [9] (such as the Shodan Challenge [10])
dan recognition (dan certificates)
use other available BGA services

Your money also goes towards the following other activities:

affiliation fees to the European Go Federation [11] and the International Go Federation [12]
support of the rating system [13]
our promotional activities, especially for children and other young players
materials [14] and other help for your own promotional activities
subsidising teaching activities for our members
representation of Go to government organisations
public liability and loss/damage insurance for BGA events

Clubs are entitled to

have a free entry in our online directory [15] and map [16]
have their own free pages hosted on our website
free quantities of our promotional literature [14]
subsidised visits for teaching purposes by dan players
loans of sets, clocks, draw computer and mobile phone for tournaments
public liability and loss/damage insurance for tournaments
publicity for tournaments and events through the website and the British Go Journal

Startup clubs are also entitled to

free loans of boards and stones
limited financial backing, e.g. guarantees for room bookings

More detail about the various items mentioned here is on About Us [17].

We provide membership at discounted rates to young people, students, those above the State Retirement age or receiving disability or unemployment benefits in the UK. We also have special rates for Families and people resident outside the UK. Join the BGA [1] lists the rates, payment methods and links to the membership form.

We have a separate membership scheme for Schools [18].

If you have any queries about membership please contact our Membership Secretary, whose address is on Join the BGA [1].