From: Geoffrey Stewart <Geoffrey_Stewart@u...>
Date: 30 Sep 1998 08:19:46 +1000
Subject: FT at MOAB is OFF!
Hello All To those on this list who were thinking of taking part in the FT comp at MOAB, or have actually entered, I must regretfully inform you that the competition has been cancelled. As of yesterday evening there had only been two(2) official entries, plus a few others who had contacted me by email, some of whom said they were playing, others who said they were "interested". Given that four days out from the comp I only had two definite starters, cancellation was the only viable alternative. To any out there who wanted to enter, who perhaps were just going to turn up on the day, you should have put your entries in! I have organised quite a few comps in the past, and have found that the informality that often charcaterises Australian comps of this kind makes the orgainser's task impossible. I have had people phone me and assure me that ther would be "four players from Smithville for sure", and then only one turns up on the day, or people who phone me a few days before as a "definite", then don't show at all, when later queried, thay say "something came up at the last minute". It is unfair and unreasonable to expect a comp to be oraginsed withpout definte entires; the orgainser's task is impossible - how many tables are needed, how much spaces, how much terrain should be supplied, what draw system will be used &c &c? Filling out a form and paying your money shows you are in earnest, anything less shows, to my mind, that you aren't serious, or at least want to keep your options open, which isn't good enough. An FT comp will be on offer next year at MOAB, perhaps we will do better then.