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After seeing last years school league and hearing about it from my friend (Who's team came first) I had a massive urge to join in this year, but there is one really inconsiderate rule about GW's school league. Its not a 1-man thing! That means if I wanted to get involved, I would have to start a wargaming club in my own school. Maybe I am being paranoid (I am probably not being paranoid...) but I have the strangest feeling that that wouldn't go down well. It would involve 'coming out of the closet' warhammer wise and hoping that some other people play too. With an even slimmer chance that if they play that they will be up for the league, with a *slimmer* chance of them being competitive players. Is it worth even trying to find out? I would have one other option which would be to start a library club at the local library with people I know play warhammer and try to -make- (They aren't competitive, not slanting them, we are just different types of players) like I am them competitive players. Do you think its even worth it ? Any one been to the school league and enjoyed it? Anyone set up a school club? I'm really lost as to if I should put a lot of effort into making a club which probably wont fly, and if the pro's outweigh the cons.

Ah, schooldays! When the merest hint of being in any way different or individual is punished by severe, ritualised, humiliation and casual violence!

I honestly don't know how to advise you on this mate, I was 6ft plus by the time I was 14, and top set in all the streamed subjects, not in any way showing off, but basically anyone I couldn't out fight, I could out smart (we are talking more than 20 years ago mind, I'm sure the school environment has changed since then)

Even now in my mid thirties, I'm not exactly shouting it from the rooftops, but you do get less bothered by what people think about everything as you get older.

All I can really say is don't act like you're ashamed, that'll be like blood in the water, just treat it like you'd treat another game with your wargaming buddies, you wouldn't make a big deal or feel awkward talking about WHFB while playing a game of 40K would you? Well, treat talking about wargaming with non-wargamers the same, it's just something that you do, it doesn't define who you are.

This year is going to be my fourth school league, and it is a very enjoyable event.
Idk about your school, but 40k and table top games aren't the most popular things
to do with all the 'badmans' about, saying how it is a nerdy thing etc, etc, so I know
what you mean with your "strangest feeling"
But, if you do know of people who just play 40k, the early stages of the league never
seem to be competitive, so they should be fine. You can always try- as long as you
have 4 people who have their own models, you will be fine.
Good luck!

If you are still in school, then they already know you are into wargaming, trust me, they already know, so why hide who you really are?

If you can get a school league going then good for you, I say go for it!

 Krellnus wrote:
If you are still in school, then they already know you are into wargaming, trust me, they already know, so why hide who you really are?

If you can get a school league going then good for you, I say go for it!

You say that, but nobody knew I was a girl in school. :p

In a couple of years you'll be amazed you even cared what people thought of you at school.

Well I never intentionally introduced anyone to the hobby back when I was in school but I did not hide my hobby (never even considered doing that) loads of people knew about and had collected 40K at some point; in fact it was good for me as several folks gave me their old models since they no-longer collected and must have thought I was a good dumping ground for their old minis!

Yes, you will find the obnoxious types you always get at school will try and use the hobby against you, but they would do that with any difference you displayed so don't take it too personally. In the end I think you will find that there are far more people interested in the hobby than you have perhaps realised and as long as you enjoy it for what it is people will respond positively.

I can see how you feel here, but if you have friends who you know very well or trust, then they will back you up, even if they aren't gamers themselves. You will also feel a lot more satisfied with showing your identity - personally I feel quite special being separated from others. If people have a problem with it, then tell them to sling their hook, and if your friends have a problem with it, then I'm afraid they aren't your friends. If someone doesn't like someone over their tastes rather than their traits, then they are frankly pathetic people. I don't follow any religion, but does that mean I hold a grudge against religious people? Of course not! In fact I applaud people who follow a religious line - it keeps them on track in their lives and generally makes them nicer people.

That aside, I believe the last time you posted something I noticed (on my thread about "40k whining" ( )) you said you were 14. In the queen's system that must mean you are either in yr 9 or yr 10 depending. At that age and year group you shouldn't have any problems with friends or school acquaintances. As long as you have been at the school for a year or so, or have a trustworthy friend base to back you up, then I'd say go for it! Sadly I don't think I have either of those at my school, and paired with the fact that I actively know one single person who plays 40k (outside of school it should be noted too), I'm not going to bother setting up a club. There's no interest in Doha. End of. But I'm sure where ever you are there's a 40k flame waiting to be lit. Find some gamers, get the club kick started, make it clear to anyone who trifles with you that you are not to be messed with, and be sure to post your results in the league.

Hopped this helped, and happy hunting!

G.A

 Tyberos the Red Wake wrote:
In a couple of years you'll be amazed you even cared what people thought of you at school.

too true


having been in the hobby 10 years now though high school, 6th form and uni you honestly don't give a dam- and begin to question your sanity then, of course its called becoming an adult and supposedly 'mature' though how some adults act is better left out of this

You have to have the confidence to do it, taking a risk can be a good thing, and you will learn a lot about playing 40k in the process. Personally it all makes you a better player, i'm not bashing the fluff bunnies out there but some do live in cloud cuckoo land when it comes to building an army. It ultimately becomes about who won/lost and what went wrong etc not excluding any 'WTF' episodes when things go tits up big time.


in short here are a few words of wisdom (coming from a 21 year old lol). If folks have bees in their bonnets about it, that is entirely their own problem they should not stop you doing what you like, as they most certainly would not like you doing it to them. 'So what' if it isn't football or some other activity that the rest of the sheep do we are all unique and doing 40k makes it standout more so go on do it

on the football issue though, near my house there are some playing fields, on Sundays I cannot resist having a small watch of the matches going on- I quietly pick flies with their tactics/positioning something important in 40k

 ALEXisAWESOME wrote:
After seeing last years school league and hearing about it from my friend (Who's team came first) I had a massive urge to join in this year, but there is one really inconsiderate rule about GW's school league. Its not a 1-man thing! That means if I wanted to get involved, I would have to start a wargaming club in my own school. Maybe I am being paranoid (I am probably not being paranoid...) but I have the strangest feeling that that wouldn't go down well. It would involve 'coming out of the closet' warhammer wise and hoping that some other people play too. With an even slimmer chance that if they play that they will be up for the league, with a *slimmer* chance of them being competitive players. Is it worth even trying to find out? I would have one other option which would be to start a library club at the local library with people I know play warhammer and try to -make- (They aren't competitive, not slanting them, we are just different types of players) like I am them competitive players. Do you think its even worth it ? Any one been to the school league and enjoyed it? Anyone set up a school club? I'm really lost as to if I should put a lot of effort into making a club which probably wont fly, and if the pro's outweigh the cons.

No by all means say nothing, do nothing and leave things as they are. You wouldn't want to possibly create a club, where you find some good new friends who will interested in joining in the school league as well leading to even more fun. Much safer to hide away and pretend like you have no hobbies or interests outside of the usually boring allotment.

Ok now seriously it is a tough call in school to be different, but ultimately we ALL are. Everyone goes through school thinking "I hope that no one finds out that I like X". Doesn't matter what X is. Everyone is thinking it. The sooner you accept that what people say about you doesn't matter in the grand scheme of life the happier you will be and you'll be able to attempt to create such a gaming group and you will enjoy it. Unless you go to a school with 20 students, the chances that others are interested in GW gaming is pretty high and they are also out there wondering if some of their classmates might be into it too. Take the leap. The worst that can happen is that no one will join up and everyone will know you are a gamer. Honestly that is the WORST that will happen. You won't be expelled from school for having a hobby. Your life will not end because you have a hobby. Not caring that people know about your hobby will also destress your life as well. No more worries that people will find out. The best that can happen is you make some new mates, get involved in the school league and have a rocking time and are happy. Even if you don't get a bunch of folks interested in the school league, you will more than likely find a few more people to play against regularly which is a win of its own.

Skriker

Thanks guys, I think I have found a solution of sorts that takes the whole scared of being different out of the equation anyhow. I would start a gaming club at the local library, with people I know would be interested and maybe put a poster or two up around school on the off chance it attracts someone. While I wouldn't relish the thought, being socially different doesn't scare me and neither does people labelling me a 'nerd'. What I was afraid of is that t would be an exercise in futility which wouldn't accomplish the goal. To get into the school league. That could be because no one joins, because the people might not be the right kind of players, or there wont be a teacher/staff willing to attend and supervise the club.

So today I set the first stones, by talking to the one other person I know would be interested in a Local wargaming club. He was up for it and wanted to join the school league if possible, so that's 1/2 of the team made already. This week I plan to go down and ask the Library if they would house the club, then what I would need to do is try find suitable players. That way I would only have people in the club that fully intend/do play wargames and people who have the same ideals. All I can think about when I thought of a school club is one of the horror stories on Dakka where a sore loser flipped the table and crushed both armies in a school club. Its worse knowing that there ARE those kind of people in my school. So I'm thinking a more closely knit group might be a better idea.

Anyone have any idea on how to sell the ''Hey, can me and a few other teenagers take up an entire corner of your library for a morning/afternoon?'' to the Library? I'm not even sure if they have the facilities (Facilities being only a long table?) to let us use, and if not then its back to the drawing board.

Alex.

 ALEXisAWESOME wrote:
Thanks guys, I think I have found a solution of sorts that takes the whole scared of being different out of the equation anyhow. I would start a gaming club at the local library, with people I know would be interested and maybe put a poster or two up around school on the off chance it attracts someone. While I wouldn't relish the thought, being socially different doesn't scare me and neither does people labelling me a 'nerd'. What I was afraid of is that t would be an exercise in futility which wouldn't accomplish the goal. To get into the school league. That could be because no one joins, because the people might not be the right kind of players, or there wont be a teacher/staff willing to attend and supervise the club.

So today I set the first stones, by talking to the one other person I know would be interested in a Local wargaming club. He was up for it and wanted to join the school league if possible, so that's 1/2 of the team made already. This week I plan to go down and ask the Library if they would house the club, then what I would need to do is try find suitable players. That way I would only have people in the club that fully intend/do play wargames and people who have the same ideals. All I can think about when I thought of a school club is one of the horror stories on Dakka where a sore loser flipped the table and crushed both armies in a school club. Its worse knowing that there ARE those kind of people in my school. So I'm thinking a more closely knit group might be a better idea.

Anyone have any idea on how to sell the ''Hey, can me and a few other teenagers take up an entire corner of your library for a morning/afternoon?'' to the Library? I'm not even sure if they have the facilities (Facilities being only a long table?) to let us use, and if not then its back to the drawing board.

Alex.

Sounds like you are on your way - good on ya! . Yeah be careful who you include - my club is/was full of young ragers or similar. blurgh...

I'm pretty sure your librarian will be lenient. Ask your teachers too - you never know - one might be an avid player himself . Best way to sell it is include the words "educational and recreational purposes" and "vigilant on adhering to the school library rules" . Or maybe you could do an after school club and use a classroom, or maybe find a teacher that doesn't mind you using their room at lunchtimes. All to play for.

G.A

 Tyberos the Red Wake wrote:
In a couple of years you'll be amazed you even cared what people thought of you at school.

QFT. man do what you want to do and to the moon with what people say/think. Hell I knew a guy that was the biggest 40k nerd I have ever met, and he was considered "cool" and "popular". If anyone ever made a crack about it he took it in stride, laughed it off and no one cared.