Just a few days to go to the big one in St. Louis. It promises to be the best National Championships of all time. With such high expectations I hope that the event can achieve more than some great subbuteo. I know this is also the wish of the organizers.
For the first time since 2004 there is a broad representation of players from around the country. 2005 in Virginia, and 2006 in Connecticut, were for the most part played out by players from the East Coast.
2004 saw the beginning of a boomlet for the game in this country. With the St. Louis club experiencing a period of growth from three to fifteen members in three years. Texas and Maryland have also seen significant growth. There are more clubs nationwide than at any previous time.
The period from 2004 to 2007 has been a difficult one for the ASA. The lack of contact between some principal groups within the organization – due to geography – has led to some gross misunderstandings in my opinion. A lot of business, and a lot of conversations, have been conducted via the internet. Forums and email. A form of communication that has its place as a necessity, but easily lends itself to perceptions of sleights that are not there in reality. People have not met face to face in significant numbers since 2004. That will change next week, and it could not come a moment too soon.
At present, we have some taboo subjects in our game. Don’t mention team competitions, don’t mention Mike Ewer, don’t mention FISTF. For some time it has been difficult to put forward any different opinions on our ASA forums without lines in the sand being drawn, and people quickly being categorized. Many have withdrawn from any discussion on the ASA forum.
There are some regional differences being promoted. This group is “all about fun”, that group is more “competititive”, this group is really “serious”, that group plays for the “love of the game”, these people like team competitions, those people do not like team competitions, we are against FISTF, we are pro FISTF. ….
Well I am here to tell you that all of these perceptions are just one big pile of bullcrap!
This event could not come at a better time. Finally it is time to come together and actually meet and play some games. My hope is that there will be some preconceived notions of individuals and regions that are just blown out of the water once people meet. Be prepared for some surprises, in my opinion the top 2-3 most competitive “serious” and “intense” subbuteo players in the event will all be from the Mid West! We will probably ALL have fun! Keith Constable will only play in team competitions from this moment on!
This National is going to be the best ever (no pressure guys but we all know it!). Time to get away from the computers and forums, and actually meet one another. Time for the deadly serious business of flicking a one inch plastic figurine at a 22mm plastic ball, with the goal of attaining the ultimate bragging right that you are the best at……flicking a one inch plastic figurine… at …err ... a 22mm plastic ball….
Paul
