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BGonline.org Forums
Backgammon/Schools/Gambling
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Backgammon/Schools/Gambling (Michael Petch)
Date: Tuesday, 1 February 2011, at 7:29 a.m.
You state reasons why schools will not accept backgammon clubs, because of the gambling, yet the proof is, some schools are. Just because you have experienced some schools that resist doesn't mean they all do. That doesn't mean it's wrong for us to try. I have discussed backgammon clubs with people at over 100 schools (mostly high schools and colleges) in the past 6 months. Clubs are starting or existing in at least 10 schools that I know of; there are at least 30 more where we have someone at the school liking the idea and using strategies we have recommended to attract more players and start a club; and there certainly will be more once we can show that the school around the corner has a club and there are tournaments and scholarships to be won. Also, this is our first attempt at those schools...it might take several years to reach the right people and to finally get to someone who can see why backgammon is a great pursuit for young people to learn and apply math.
So just because you struck out doesn't mean it doesn't work and that you should discourage others who are pursuing this avenue. You want to push backgammon in the home, do it, but you clearly stated that "we don't need" these other areas to promote the game. Then you state that they don't work, and I am giving you facts to show that even though we are just starting and have little to offer in the way of tournaments, scholarships, coaching, and other rewards, we are still making progress.
Your statements are exclusionary and negative...and it's right there in black and white in your post, and when that is pointed out you deny it and then add even more discouragement and negativity.
It is really easy to sit back and come up with grandiose ideas and criticize others who are trying to do something positive just because they don't happen to be doing things the way you would do them.
You are right: a backgammon board in the home and children sitting around playing with their parents is a lovely picture. How is that going to happen? How will YOU, or any of us make that happen. Even if there is a way, by organizing the effort with a federation, with a group of people, there is synergy and support. Each of us DO NOT have to reinvent the wheel.
Anyone reading this, right now, if they would like to approach a local high school or college and try to start a club, there is a place to go to get a guide to do it; a place to get fantastic boards for these kids at greatly discounted prices; a place to go to offer them the chance to compete for scholarships and prizes; a place to go to get help from an experienced teacher.
Yes, Michael, he might be "old" like myself, but you mentioned Stick, and he's helping too--he and I are working together on at least two major universities in Ohio to start clubs. Anyone else want to volunteer to help? You're most welcome and there's plenty to do.
Anyone else want to be negative and criticize the efforts of people trying to do something positive? You'll get the same reaction from me and a few others, and you will be insulting the efforts of many people far more tactful and kinder than I am.
There are people busting their behinds out there trying to advance backgammon as best they can, and to hear you glibly say "we don't need a federation..." is mean-spirited and self-serving. If you want to see backgammon grow in Canada and you have a better way to do it than we are trying to do it here, then why don't you organize some kind of a plan and movement to do it so your ideas can spread throughout the country. If your plan is to buy a backgammon board for your neighbor and give it to him, that's fine. I don't criticize that--you are doing what you think is right. Don't criticize others who are doing a hell of a lot more than giving a board to one person and who are actually making progress while you are just writing criticisms that discourage people from helping us.
You say you didn't mean to be negative about other avenues of promotion, but your first post stated that "we don't need federations....backgammon in schools....etc."
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