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Another take on Backgammon is in trouble posts
Posted By: Henrik Bukkjaer In Response To: Another take on Backgammon is in trouble posts (Perry)
Date: Friday, 15 June 2012, at 11:21 p.m.
This sounds very healthy to me.
Of course, one of your challenges being a relatively new federation in a country with widespread activity in the game for decades, is "how to get people to join you". Thus you cannot chanrge too heavily, and you need to offer some kind of return/value to your prospect members.
This is something we really never had to deal with in Denmark, since the federation was there in the early days, when the game started to spread. So all tournaments were sanctioned by the federation, and you needed to be a member to join any flights except for beginners. The exception was weekly cafe tournaments - in those, however, only games between players with membership was rated. Thus the introduction of the rating lists was one of the incentives for even recreational players to join. The team leagues was what really pushed/forced membership.
Thus, getting back to your list, I think one of the keys to your success early on, is enrolment of members - simply to get funds so you can pay/invest in even human resources, but also to get your sponsor's prospects look better! It's easier to sell a federation with a deep penetration and a lot of active members.
Then I think your focus on school/faculties/etc is brilliant. I've seen some posts now and then, in particular from Phil, mentioning some successes on this front. That could really prove helpful for USBGF and the game as a whole. In short, these potantial players are also the most interesting to any sponsors. They are young, bright and someone you want to reach.
We've tried very loosely to get something going like that in Denmark, but it never really picked up any speed. It wasn't done properly. I think the new board of directors has this in their binoculars, and I hope they will learn from USBGF and also Japan (who I've heard have success in bringing backgammon to educational facilities).
One of the problems discussed in this, is the "image" of the game - gambling vs. healthy math, etc. I've seen that discussed here. Another thing is the age needed for the players to really appreciate and excel in the game. I've found it muc easier to teach chess to young kids (through to 4th grade or so), than backgammon! I don't know at what age the sweet-spot is?
I'm looking forward to see how you succeed, particular in the "education" context.
Which you the best of luck!
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