Ayrshire Chess Association's 120th Anniversary

That the Parliament recognises the 120th anniversary year of the Ayrshire Chess Association; notes that it was founded on 2 September 1906 and was the first county chess association formed in Scotland; commends the ongoing work that it has had in widening participation in junior and community chess in Ayrshire through organising competitions and supporting new clubs throughout the country; acknowledges the contribution that the association, its member clubs and volunteers have made to community life in Ayrshire over several decades; wishes the association, and the area's wider chess community, every future success; notes what it sees as the historic importance of chess as a part of Scotland’s creative and intellectual heritage dating back to the 12th century; understands that, without recognised sport status, chess clubs and associations across Scotland face significant difficulty receiving centralised support, and calls for dedicated public funding pathways to promote the game, facilitate learning it in schools and to support competitors participating in international chess competitions.