Chess Coaching – Term 2, 2026

To all Ballarat Junior Chess Club members, parents, and chess players:

We are very pleased to announce that chess coaching and games sessions for Term 2 of 2026 are now open. We are accepting applications for children aged 6 to 17 years old.

Term 2 Coaching Details

Start Date: Thursday, 30 April
End Date: Thursday, 25 June
Time: 5.30 pm – 6.45/7.00 pm
Location: Humffray Room, Level 4, Ballarat Mechanics Institute, 117 Sturt Street, Ballarat.

New students or those returning after a break must complete the 2026 application form first. Successful applicants will then be invited to register if places are available. If you have completed a registration form within the last month, you do not need to complete it again.

Register via TryBooking – https://www.trybooking.com/DLLST

If your child is not continuing in Term 2 of 2026, please let us know via email or text so we can allocate their place to someone on the waiting list.

Session Format

5.30 – 5.45 pm: Registration and casual games within coaching groups.
5.45 – 6.15 pm: Formal coaching sessions led by Head Coach Scott Stewart.
6.15 – 7.00 pm: League games for all players, including those not in the formal coaching sessions (free to attend).

Additional Information

Students participating in the coaching program and their families become junior members of the Ballarat Chess Club, allowing them to join senior club events (7.00 pm onwards) at no additional cost. Playing in longer time‑control events at the senior club is the best way for a junior to obtain both an Australian and an International chess rating.

A significant change for Term 2 is that children will not be able to access their mobile phones during coaching and games sessions. Phones must be turned off and left in bags or placed in the provided box. Some students have become distracted during sessions, affecting both their learning and other participants. If a student needs to contact a parent, they should speak to their coach or the co‑ordinator.

Parents are responsible for their child’s conduct during sessions. Juniors staying for senior events must behave appropriately. For further details, see the attached flyer.

Additional information, including the club’s Child Safe Policy, is available on the Child Safe page.

Guidelines for Behaviour and Requirements

These guidelines aim to ensure the safety of all participants, respect for the venue, and a positive experience for everyone involved.

The Ballarat Mechanics Institute is a heritage‑listed building shared with other groups, including elderly patrons. It is essential that all juniors demonstrate respect for the venue and its users by following the rules outlined below.

Contact:

• Scott Stewart (Head Coach): 0410 052 134

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Kind regards,
Kevin Perrin & Scott Stewart
Ballarat Chess Club Inc.

Enrolment

Please fill in your details on the enrolment page and follow the prompts to make payment.
For enquiries about the course or payment, contact BCC Treasurer Kevin Perrin (0418 533 517).