How Chess Life Academy supports their coaches and creates an inclusive environment around the game of chess
Chess Life Academy is a chess education provider dedicated to helping individuals learn and connect with others through the game of chess. With a team of 12 coaches, Chess Life Academy visits schools and community centres, teaching the game and creating an inclusive environment.
Sabrina Koetsier, co-owner and co-founder of Chess Life Academy, shares how the business promotes inclusion.
“A lot of our clients are on the autism spectrum or are neurodivergent,” Sabrina explains, which is why “we are really strong on having an autism-friendly environment in our classrooms.”
“When Autism SA’s Autism Friendly Charter was released a number of years ago, we signed up and implemented several strategies for the business,” Sabrina continues. “We consciously put information about our coaches on our website so people can check which coach they will have.” This approach helps clients know more about who they will be meeting and what to expect.
Chess Life Academy not only teaches chess but also fosters skill and friendship-building in a safe, structured environment. “What is very lovely is to see students who are usually non-verbal communicating with each other and making friends over chess.”
Sabrina also highlights how Chess Life Academy supports inclusion for both potential and existing staff members.
The interview process at Chess Life Academy is unique, beginning with a casual conversation designed to be non-threatening and holistic. “We often provide the candidate with information about what ‘a day in the life of a coach’ looks like and what kind of support we give.”

Sabrina also asks chess-specific questions like, “What do you play when you are white?” to get an idea of the candidate’s chess skills. They also ask scenario-based questions, such as, “How would you explain to a 7-year-old how a bishop moves?” which allows candidates to talk their approach to coaching a client. During the interview, Chess Life Academy informs candidates that they are an Autism Friendly business and that many of their clients are autistic.
Although most of the scenarios are discussed through conversation, Sabrina notes, “We often do have a chess board there because some people like to move the chess pieces while they are talking to demonstrate what they are saying.”
This approach exemplifies an inclusive hiring process by providing relevant, scenario-based questions and allowing candidates to choose how they demonstrate their skills.
“We often ask candidates if they have experience working with people on the autism spectrum,” Sabrina says, stating that the conversation often leads to the candidates own disclosure if they are autistic.
Chess Life Academy is dedicated to supporting candidates through the onboarding process and throughout their time with the business.
“As part of onboarding, we go through the run sheet detailing what school they will go to, the timings on the run sheet, lesson plans, and the material they will be teaching,” Sabrina explains, adding that the structured lesson plans were developed in collaboration with the team to support in their coaching roles.
“We also buddy up our new starter with another coach for the first term (10 weeks). They go into a school together, and the new starter can learn from the other coach”. Sabrina explains that this support helps the new starter feel comfortable in their new role.
Chess Life Academy is a great example of how a business can implement inclusive practices to support both their clients and their staff to create an inclusive environment.