Womens World Gayp Match

[kiwinurse]

For the last three months i have been trying to find sponsors for a match with Amangel Dudeyov and myself(Jan Mortimer) here in New Zealand. I have met with some success in finding funding to hold a match here in Invercargill, which is the city in New Zealand at the bottom of the south Island, which is a lovely spot, beautiful scenery etc to hold a match, and which will spark media interest here in New Zealand, also giving checkers more publicity in the south.
New Zealand checkers struggles,with only a small group playing here,although we try hard to hold a national every year now,whereas before it had kind of died out , like everywhere i suppose.Because im the challenger it was up to me, according to WCDF rules to set the match,as there were no other bids.What is sad is that womens checkers is a lacklustre thing with no one willing to sponsor, in comparison to mens matches, but in so saying there was a very kind offer from Palomino to hold the match in Indiana, and Hugh Devlin has always given generously to the womens matches.I suppose you could say that in comparison to the number of men playing,women are very much in the minority and some would say not really worthy of consideration.But the women that play, play hard and are worthy of support.And if theyre not supported,then checkers will become an old boys club yet again.
For this reason im asking for donations for a prize fund in return for games of the match.The prize fund will depend really whether this match goes ahead or not,New Zealand is a long way for Amangel to travel too,and there must be some incentive to get her here.In the past, and over the past few years ive travelled to play myself in Ireland, Barbados, Las Vegas and Prague, Wales,and while ive enjoyed every minute of it, it has been a huge cost,even with the support of the players, who have provided food and accommodation and some financial pledges towards travel costs.
If there is a decent prize fund, im sure we can have our match here,which will make checker history,as theres never been a world match in New Zealand.Thankyou for taking the time to read this, Jan

[liam stephens]

Good luck Jan in your bid for sponsorship and I hope that you are successful.

What you say is indeed relevant and I’m sure no one would wish to see David Levy’s jibe about an association of “retired elderly gentlemen” come to pass, though each year some more of us will inevitably join the REG.

I think your proposal to publish the games is excellent and if you can get them annotated in magazine or booklet format that would be ideal. I would be pleased to help out in that respect, if you wish, though I know there are many others better qualified than me to do it.

Regards - Liam

[kiwinurse]

Thankyou Liam for your astute comments, i actually meant sending games for donations, but you would be more than well qualified to edit them

[kiwinurse]

At the moment it would be wise in me asking for pledges rather than sending donations at this stage,as i will have to ascertain whether there will be enough prize money to hold a match here. If you are interested in helping and sending a donation i would appreciate a private message on this forum.regards Jan

[Lindus Edwards]

The very best of luck in your attempt to stage this important world championship match Jan.
I have sent you a PM at the WODC concerning my pledge.
So far as annotating the games is concerned there is, as you know of course, no one better that Liam to perform this task.

[Mac Banks]

Hello Jan,

I will donate $100 for this match. I think I have already told you this. Please let me know when to send the money.
Good luck in this match as I will be pulling for you.

All the best,
Mac Banks

[kiwinurse]

Thankyou Lindus and Mac, its much appreciated

[Palomino]

Hi Jan,

I for one believe it is important that everyone in the checkers community lend support to you ladies and also the youth of our sport.

Jan, I would like to pledge $10.00. I know that $10.00 isn't much but feel that, if all checker enthusiasts would join in and pledge just a small amount each, we can bring about this match and that will be good for checkers.

I'm going to go a bit off subject here and discuss a little pet-peeve I have. There seems to be a misunderstanding about world titles and this idea seems to be wide spread, so Jan, please don't think I am singling you out here because even the WCDF has this wrong on it's web-site). http://wcdf.wz.cz/champions.htm

Jan, you wrote:

What is sad is that womens checkers is a lacklustre thing with no one willing to sponsor, in comparison to mens matches,"

Although we do have separate world champion titles for the best of our youth and the best of our women players, there are no separate titles for men. It just so happens that the overall gayp, 3-move, 11-man and mail play world championship titles are currently held by men. There are no restrictions to these titles in regards to age or gender, so Jan, should you ever decide to go after any of these titles you can count on me to support you in what little ways I can.

Jan, I'm proud to have you as a friend.

BTW:
Around here the biggest thing that happens all year is the running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race. From the first weekend in May when the track opens for practice until a few days after the race has been completed near the end of May we get live reports from the track and news coverage from every TV news teams in Indianapolis morning noon and night. I guess you know that (on Sunday) "The Ice Man" race car driver Scott Dixon from New Zealand, took the checkered flag as he won this year's race. I'm wondering, are the news papers and TV there in New Zealand giving this win by Dixon much coverage?

Best regards..."Pal"

[kiwinurse]

Hullo Pal, Thankyou so much for your pledge,i very much appreciate it.I understand what you mean about the mens world matches, in fact when i was in Vegas with Alan Millhone last year i commented to him about intending to play in the future mens matches only ,and i did at the welsh open where i was the only woman playing in the mens. Maybe in the future womens will be intergrated with mens as in other sports.Joan Caws was the first womens world champion and it was kind of started then, i think to encourage women to play.You know its really hard to get to a mans level of expertize when you are raising children in the home,and its not until later that you can actually take an interest in the game,if you are married with children.I only wish i had cultivated my interest in draughts when i was 21, the real age of learning,but then at that age you are struggling with careers and other interests.
But although i think that it would make more sense to intergrate womens and mens matches together,i feel i have the right to challenge Amangul after travelling to win the qualifier,and also to get to highlight checkers a bit more and get more people enthused about the game.
Everyone ive spoken to here would love to see a match in New Zealand, and although the average person doesnt play, they are excited about it and would love to come and watch.I had an interview with a local tv station when i got home from Vegas, and i indicated then to the interviewer that i was wanting to hold the match here.she said,"id pay to come and watch that"She was so encouraging and excited about the match.
In Invercargill we have a organization called the Invercargill Licensing Trust Here you can only buy liquor and use pokies through them, they have a monopoly on the city.But they are nonprofitmaking and everything they earn goes into the community.They have been so supportive in giving me some sponsorship to pay towards food and accommodation for a match here.
But as i said previously,that doesnt include anything else,so a lot depends on whether i can raise sufficent prize money or not.
Yes Pal, we have had full TV coverage of Scott Dixon last night. We were very proud kiwis to see him win.He attributed his win to the sacrifice of his parents to get him there.HIs parents were with him. IT was very moving,

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Jan:

Organized Checkers/Draughts around the globe needs all the help and publicity it can get. Your upcoming match is very important to create awareness in your part of the globe and to promote women in the game. I totally support your efforts and appreciate being asked to be the referee for your match . At one time New Zealand was quite busy with the game and your match may be the spark needed to once again stimulate interest in your area. AS ACF President and as your friend I whole heartedly endorse all your efforts.

Sincerley:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation
" LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND "