GBHL80 Events Return from Next Weekend

I come to you now at the turn of the tide... Despite the slight delay in the step of relaxation by many UK governments, the GBHL is to begin its return to active duty. After consultation with tournament organisers, venues and members of the GBHL, the committee has decided it's possible for GBHL80 events to return in a safe manner. However, GBHL 100's will still be unable to take place until the next step of lockdown relaxation happens. The size and enforced format changes make these events impossible to go ahead as normal.

What will Tournaments Look like until Covid Restrictions end?

Clearly, the days of hugs and huge gatherings of people at events are not quite back just yet (they will return eventually, don't worry!) but what is a safe way of running an event where mixing between different people has to happen?

One answer is a "pod system". This is essentially where a bubble of people can play one another in a mini Round Robin tournament to assess who is the best. On day two people form a second bubble with players whose scores they most closely matched with on Day 1.

This is more strict than current government guidance at restaurants and bars which allow 6 people to mix without social distancing inside. If you are concerned about rules, please reach out to any of the tournament organisers or a member of the management committee.

There are a number of additional ways tournament organisers can minimise the risk of Covid spreading (see a GBHL draft risk assessment for tournaments here).

• All attendees MUST take a free Lateral Flow test before they attend any day of any tournament. Anyone with Covid symptoms or a positive test shouldn't attend unless they've had a more accurate PCR test to confirm they're Covid negative

• All venues should have as much ventilation as possible - this massively reduces the chances of Covid spreading via Aerosols

• The arrival of attendees should be staggered, and/or social distanced, to avoid more than 6 people congregating

• Face coverings are to be worn when not in gaming bubbles

• Contact details of attendees are to be taken by TOs to help track and trace if there's an outbreak

• Good hand hygiene is to be encouraged - hand washing facilities should be provided.

• If you haven't had the vaccine, book it. The next phase of unlocking will only happen if enough people are jabbed. It also hugely reduces your chances of getting seriously ill, and reduces the chance of you passing it on to your fellow gamers.

All in all, these are all fairly straightforward things many of us are used to seeing in pubs, restaurants, shops and the workplace in these strangest of times.

So with that, let the games begin!

Some of the upcoming Tournaments in the GBHL are:

• The Rings of Men (Nottingham) - June 26th and 27th

• "Bring your themiest 700 point list and delve into Middle-earth in seven 2-hour games over the weekend where you can enjoy a number of unique scenarios centred around the Rings of Middle Earth. A host of Prizes are available for Places, Painting, and Creating Objectives like your Hostage for whom you must stage a daring rescue and the many objective markers you'll need for the weekend. GBHL 80 event

• The Battle of Borough Dur - June 26th

• Four games at 600pts for this one-day tournament in London. Red alliances are banned, and you're encouraged to bring one army each of Good and Evil, though you may end up playing "Blue on Blue" occasionally.

• The Guardians' Call To Helm's Deep - July 3rd and 4th

• "Isengard has emptied, the Fighting Uruk-hai are marching, Rohan have mustered in Helm’s Deep, the White Rider has not been seen; will you stand and defend the world of Men? Or will you march to war with the hordes of the White Wizard? Our tournaments always run on a theme, and this one is no exception. There will be trophies for the podium places, but also awards for the best 3 armies on the Good and Evil side. So, will you accept the Guardians' Call to Helm’s Deep?" This event will now be a GBHL 80 event

• Lord of the Imps - The Two Powers - July 10th and 11th

• Generals will battle with an 800pt Good or Evil army in a variety of thematic scenarios and gain bonuses for their alliance by winning battles on tables representing parts of Middle Earth. Cool list building restrictions; friendly banter between the Good and Evil side; with free lunch and booze on tap. GBHL 80 event

• Nirnaeth Arnoediad 2021 - July 17th and 18th - NO LONGER GBHL100 EVENT

• A De-Escalation tournament in Bangor Northern Ireland where generals bring 1000pts for the first games and slowly decrease to 500 over the course of two days. You'll have a chance to win a free Ticket to Ardacon, and an invite to the International Masters Event there.

• The Ruin of Cheshire - July 17th

• A 500pt 1 day competitive GBHL 80 Event. Squeezing 4 games into this tourney at a lovely venue in Macclesfield.

• Valourbowl - 24th July

• A 500pt Tournament with a twist. Keep a kill tally for a hero of valour in your Good or Evil army, the hero with the most in the whole tournament is the winner of Valour Bowl. Normal tournament prizes also on offer in this event raising money for charity. GBHL80 event.

• Into the West 2021 - July 24th and 25th

• One of the longest-running and largest GBHL events sees you bring a 450pt Good or Evil army (or both!) and compete in seven games over a weekend. There are secret missions, over 80 attendees (including some of the game's finest players, and an amazing gaming venue with a bar. If all go according to plan this will also mark the return of GBHL 100 event for the league.