So, to begin the series of looking back at 2020 in the year
of quizzing, there is only one place that I can really begin and that is the
Online Quiz League ran by Jon Stitcher. As with all hobbies and interests, when
Lockdown hit in March the thousands of folk across the UK who love to quiz
suddenly had that opportunity taken away from them. Pubs were shut, events were
cancelled and leagues were put on hold. Some quizmasters jumped the gun and
tried to move online quickly, others gave up and decided to ride it out,
whilst others took time to plan and
prepare a league format that would appeal to quizzers all over the country from
those at the elite level, to those who never had quizzed before in a league
format. Sounds impossible?.......From this the Online Quiz League was born….
The league seemed ambitious and nothing like it had been
tried before. Could it work? How would quizzers cope competing via Zoom? Would
the whole thing being “online” cast a shadow over proceedings? Would it crash
and burn? In the early days, no one really knew the answers to these questions.
Players, organisers and setters alike were in a new world. The initial uptake
though looked promising with quizzers from across the UK, and later from around
the globe, lining up to compete. From TV Chasers to World Champions to quiz
novices, the first season attracted a barrage of players with an impressive 36
teams.
Suddenly, Wednesday nights became the weekly highlight and
Jon recruited some of the finest setters in the country to put together sets
for the league. Every week at 8pm players lined up on Zoom to take on the
challenge and the league continued to flourish. Not only that but quiz sessions
often ran late into the night with friendlies and get togethers that started to
create a real community amongst players in the Online Quiz League. In the peak
lockdown period it was common for sessions to still be going strong at 2am.
(The main game runs from 8pm until around 9pm)
By Season 2, 54 teams were competing and this is looking to
increase as Season 3 is due to commence in January. In fact, I think there is
enough time to register as both a team or as an individual (please quote The
Quiz Addict or Daniel Fullard if you do!). I began in this league just
registering as a solo player and was put on a great team with some top class
quizzers who I have went on to entering several other events with. All info
HERE.
On a personal level, the OQL, along with several other of
the online quizzes I am to mention in this series has revitalised my quizzing
and in fact I am quizzing more than ever! I had never played in a team based
quiz with individual questions before and the only league I had access to up
here in Sunderland is very different altogether and I had stopped playing
around 2 years ago. So having the chance of playing in this sort of league,
with experienced and dedicated setters, top level quizzers and a wide reaching
range of questions was one I was always going to jump at. As mentioned above, I
was lucky enough to be placed within a friendly team and have met some great
people via the medium of Zoom.
And I am one of hundreds of players who is glad to hear that the OQL is planned to run and run. In many ways its a shame that its took a worldwide pandemic to bring to life such a wonderful concept played in the best of of spirits, but now that OQL is here, I intend to make the most of it for as long as possible. With a 16 month old daughter, my quizzing has been somewhat restricted in recent years but the OQL has given me focus, enjoyment and without doubt has been a weekly highlight ever since it began.
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