Yorkshire Masters Pairs
I would like to ask the YCBA Management Committee to review the structure of the Yorkshire Masters Pairs
in the light of the additional ranks introduced in 2006/07 and the following.
Recent promotion to Regional Master from Advanced Master has emphasised the comparative breadth of Grade 1
and the narrowness of Grades 2 and 3. [The EBU Ranked Masters has 7 grades to YCBA’s 3 grades, with Regional Master
in grade 6 not grade 1.] Anyone not progressing through the Starred or Tournament Master route, i.e. those gaining
25 green points, moves from Yorkshire’s Grade 3 to 1 in a very short time. Recent numbers suggest that the particular
divisions are not attracting competitors. More people may be attracted to this, and thereby to other county events, by a
more comfortable and balanced structure where they can identify with the particular category. As now categories can be
combined for movement purposes so that an increase and/or realignment may be worthwhile.
I suggest:
Grade 1: Premier Grand, Grand & Life Masters
Grade 2: Premier National, National and Regional Masters
Grade 3: Premier Master, Tournament and Star Masters
Grade 4: Advanced Master and below + unranked
Or if retention of 3 grades was seen as essential:
Grade 1: Premier Grand, Grand, Life &National Masters
Grade 2: Regional, Premier, Tournament and Star Masters
Grade 3: Advanced Master and below + unranked
In either case the new rank of Premier Master is probably better in the lowest category to reflect player experience
but I have followed the EBU seniority, Diary page 5.
The changes could be used to revive the event with club promotion emphasising the ‘inclusiveness’ of the new categories.
For that reason I recommend the 4 grade structure as a response to the additional EBU ranks and falling entries.
Chris Close