Accredited Organiser (AO)

Accreditation for Organisers of Backgammon Events

Tournament and club organisers provide an invaluable service to the backgammon community. In 2024, the UKBGF Board introduced a system of accreditation for organisers with the following objectives:

• To formally recognise the effort and skill of accredited organisers.
• To document the “know-how” of organising and running high quality backgammon events.
• To provide accredited organisers with a forum to share best practice with each other.
• To provide new and aspiring organisers with training, support and mentorship from experienced UKBGF accredited organisers.
• To improve the quality of organised backgammon events for the benefit of its members.

What is accreditation?

The accreditation process requires organisers to demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the know-how of running successful backgammon events. The UKBGF has documented this know-how, which is divided into the following sections:

• Running a club/ tournament
• Rules
• Etiquette
• Competition formats and management
• Ratings
• The UKBGF Tour

The above content contains the essential know-how for running successful events.  Each section is followed by a short multiple choice quiz.  Organisers seeking accreditation are invited to read through the content, and complete the quizzes.  Achieving a satisfactory number of correct answers is the primary requirement for accreditation.  Accredited organisers receive a certificate, and the designation (AO).

FAQs

Who is accreditation suitable for?

Accreditation will be of benefit to any organiser of backgammon events, including club meet ups, charity events, and local and national tournaments.

I am an experienced organiser, so why do I need to be accredited?

UKBGF recognises that organisers often work in isolation, and accreditation is intended to provide a forum for mutual help and support. Accreditation is not a UKBGF requirement, but offers recognition of your effort and skills as an organiser.  By joining a community of accredited organisers, you will have access to an online forum, and be able to share best practice with your peers.

I have just started out as an organiser, so can I apply for accreditation?

Yes, you can.  Accreditation is a benefit to new and aspiring organisers since it provides access to valuable know-how to help you establish a club, or run an event.  You will also receive access to the forum where you can obtain advice and support from more experienced organisers.

How do I apply for accreditation?

Register your interest here, and a member of the UKBGF team will contact you to discuss your enquiry. Applications are accepted at the discretion of the UKBGF Board.

How long does it take to obtain accreditation, and what is the process?

Once you are registered, you will be given log-in details to the training materials that document the know-how of how to run successful backgammon events.  You can work through these sections at your own pace, and take the quizzes once you are familiar with the material.  Each of the 6 sections would take under one hour to review and complete the quiz.  The quiz questions are not difficult, but confirm that you have read through and understand the training materials. Your responses will be reviewed by a member of the UKBGF team, and accreditation is awarded once the quizzes have been satisfactorily completed, and your application has been approved by the UKBGF Board.

Is there a cost for the training materials and access to the forum?

No, accreditation is entirely free of charge.

Can you tell me more about the forum?

The forum is password protected, with access restricted to AOs. The purpose is for organisers to share best practice, and generally support one another with help, advice and tips on how to run successful and popular events. It is hoped that this will help organisers, who often work in isolation, to have ready access to the knowledge and expertise within the group, and benefit from the experience of others in areas such as:

• How to launch, promote and grow a club
• Recommended formats for club nights
• Running a local league
• Rules queries and handling disputes
• Recommended tournament formats

Are there any other requirements to obtain accreditation?

Yes.  Accredited organisers undertake to maintain UKBGF membership, and organise their events in accordance with best practice and the UKBGF’s Code of Conduct, and conduct themselves with probity in the organisation and direction of events. AO status may be rescinded by the UKBGF if these requirements are not met.

If I become an Accredited Organiser, do I need to be an active organiser to maintain this status, and will I have to re-apply if I stop organising events for a period?

Once you become an AO you don’t need to do anything to maintain this status, and taking a break from organising won’t mean that you have to re-apply.