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Madison ABT; Novice Sections; USBGF
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Madison ABT; Novice Sections; USBGF (David)
Date: Wednesday, 31 August 2011, at 5:49 p.m.
In response to your points:
1. I am not going to Madison because of family obligations in Chicago; 2. I think the economy does have an impact on tournament attendance, but I also think that places like Madison, where there are not a lot of direct flights inexpensively from all over the country, will always draw fewer players, even though it is a great city and a great event; 3. The USBGF is just getting started, and the immediate goal of the USBGF is not simply to get more people to come to tournaments, but simply to grow the game overall. We had over 100 students involved in the collegiate program last year and hope to see many more this year. Only a handful of those students made it to ABT events, but as you know, some of your Northwestern students made it to the Tuesday night games in Chicago. So eventually, in time, we will see more players from this program. 4. Don't forget we have clubs going and starting in High School and below...it will take about 10 years before we see these kids at major tournaments, but some of these kids are teaching their parents to play. 5. This year we have also started on a seniors development...we have volunteers in several cities who will be doing backgammon seminars and setting up clubs at retirement villages around the country, and we have a major presentation coming up with Sun City (42,000 residents) in Phoenix later this year. Keep in mind, these "old folks" are generally 50 years old and older, and if they start coming to ABT events they will lower the average age of the participants!
Lastly, the success and growth of the ABT, or tournaments world wide, is NOT directly related to the work of the USBGF and other federations. Even if backgammon continues to grow on line and socially, these tournaments may or may not grow depending on economic factors and the creativity and marketing talents of the tournament promoters and directors. I personally believe that much can be done that is not being done to make tournaments more fun, more equitable financially for more people, and more attractive to sponsors (which is sorely needed to really make tournaments more successful and appealing).
Bottom line, just because you don't see an immediate increase in major tournament attendance DOES NOT MEAN the USBGF and its programs are not working--you are just being impatient and you are not properly attributing cause and affect, in my humble, seldom wrong opinion.
For the record, you and Lyle have been terrific supporters of our programs and if you continue, you will see, first hand, the eventual fruits of your efforts. We already have several excellent new players in the game thanks to your coaching at Northwestern University.
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