08 Feb 2009 3 Comments
To the internet!
Whenever I attend an Australian go event I feel a perplexing array of emotions: my own excitement and anticipation at being able to play this wondrous game, revelry in being surrounded by those who share my passion, and hope that I will be able to experience these sensations again. Yet while go events in Australia have been able to report excellent numbers of attendees, there is an issue which overshadows such accomplishments: the ability for everyone possible to be able to enjoy them.
Relatively speaking, there are few active go players in Australia and we need to travel vast distances to attend competitions and tournaments – let alone club meetings. The time, effort, and cost associated with such travel means there are often limited opportunities for interstate players to compete. However, there now exists a technology that enables us to cross these distances effortlessly: the internet. While many players – myself included – do not enjoy playing online, it is something which we need to use in order to bring our go community together.
We need to actively participate online; to have meetings and competitions online. At the very least we need to make them accessible over the internet. More than needing more members, more then needing more funding, we need to get this community active. We cannot leave it to the few to galvanise the many. I would like anyone who can to have a go at playing online, perhaps just one day a week, just to play a game or get in contact with other players in Australia and have matches online. Don’t just wait for someone else to organise a meeting, or to hold a tournament you can get to, reach out yourself and get in contact with other players.
On that note: I will be getting on KGS each Thursday evening from 6 until late to replay games, play games, and have fun.
I hope to see you there.
It will be on Thursday at 6pm EST in the Australia room.
