LINK TO APPPLY
Good day all
I have been asked about the coaching by multiple players-
I have not been asked to assist with the coaching this year. It has been a wonderful journey being part of coaching set up since 2017-2022 where we won the SA championship and became #1 in SA, along with many players obtaining national colors, qualifying for various international events like Olympiads and various World Championships. It was a wonderful journey, and I am proud of it! To be honest this is the only reason I got into chess structures, to play and to coach, these are my joys, else there is no real reason, for me at least!
I understand that players will be in great hands as Sinovuyo Racaza, Sunu Mabhera are great coaches, who will also be joined by Juniors Tshegofatso and Keagan. It is a brilliant team, and I know they will add lots of value, I wish them the best and insist if they want advice ask and I will give it.
This leaves me a bit sad, as I really wanted to start a new cycle and bring a new young team up to the peak of SA chess. However, when one door closes another does open. I would like to do my own coaching. If it is not my responsibility to coach all, then I feel I have earned the right to be a little selfish and only work with a select group of players. This will be, at least, my next journey in chess. I urge all players to apply, but each group I choose will not be more than 10 players at a time; from experience you simply cannot turn players into top level players if the crowd is greater than 10. So, I may have multiple groups. I already have offers of a few venues at request- thank you for that!
I ask all interested players to apply. Note this is not based on affordability- this is purely linked to either the determination or talent of the player. If your chess is nowhere, but you are adamant you want to and will be the best, I can do more with a player like this than I can with a player that is talented but lacks motivation. I am very excited to create a team like this and it feels like a natural progression from regional coaching to a Club/Private, where I can focus with a smaller scope and focus on improving players at a personal level.
This is not coaching for nationals or NMB derby… this is a journey that has its sights set on the future and not the immediate. If I do not accept your application, I will give feedback on what is needed before I accept your application, or if you want, refer you to one of the other coaches. I am adamant; no students will be chosen based on ability to pay fees. Is my time valuable? Yes, but that is NOT where I derive joy. Things like coaching and working on chess are what pushes my own chess and improves my own chess. I effectively create my own sparring partners!
Upon looking at how many of my weekends have been taken up by chess, and away from my family, I was truly astounded. However fellow organizers Jason, Sunu, Abi and others including myself can be proud of what value we have brought to the chess circuit this year. Therefore, my chess time away from my family will now be filled with joy! Either playing chess events, coaching players, organizing events in rating categories so that players earn the maximum GP points to go get their SA colors, these are the joys I am after. I will always avail myself to assist the region with advice, charity efforts if I am avail, as well as future tours that can be under the regional banner if approved, else simply the club banner.
To apply to join my coaching please use this link:
LINK to apply
If you can assist in my coaching initiatives, be it with potential venues for my lectures or any other way please fill in this form and ill be in touch.
LINK to assist LUDUS
Note we have set our sights on becoming a FIDE academy, this will need assistance as there are multiple licenses to obtain, however this will allow our players to compete internationally without going through the various political hurdles with approval depending on someone else. I do know that this has led to many players who did not earn the right, jumping the que, however our efforts will ensure that only deserving players get those opportunities.
Kind regards,
Ashley Vermaak
