National Bingo Caller of the Year 2008
Last year the National Bingo Caller of the Year was Blake Robson, a bingo caller for the Mecca Bingo Club in South Shields. Since his win he has been trained as an Ambassador and spokesperson for the bingo industry and this year the competition is fierce for this coveted title, according to the NBGA "THE most sought after title within the bingo industry".
The official National Bingo website provides details on entry to the competition and requirements of entry and I was interested to see what they were.
The site provides a really informative fact sheet about the competition which explains the four key stages.
- Entry
- DVD preparation and submission
- Regional Finals
- National Finals
Entry
All competitors have to complete an entry form, and like most forms this requires the usual information, name, age, address etc and from reading through what is required in the form it's a little like a CV when you apply for a job. Although it isn't often you are asked to submit a photograph when applying for a job.
One the entry forms have all been collated 10 entrants from each region (six in total) are asked to take part in the next stage.
Regions
- North East
- North West
- Midlands
- Wales
- Scotland
- South
DVD Preparation and Submission
If entrants are lucky enough to reach this stage they then have to submit a DVD of themselves which judges look at for 4 specific sections
- Introduction where the entrant speaks directly to the camera
- Interaction with customers
- Showmanship
- Example of game calling
The entrant's club manager has to provide a covering letter of support and the entrant has to write, it not more than 50 words why they feel they are potentially a champion caller.
Judges then score each submission on the following categories
- Personality
- Appearance
- Rapport with customers
- Calling voice
- Ambassadorial potential
Regional Finals
This is the first time judges and entrants get to meet in person and each one will have a one to one interview with the judging panel where they will be asked 3 questions about bingo and related topics. They then have to take to the stage in front of a live audience to be marked on their showmanship and bingo calling skills.
The showmanship only actual counts for 10% of the actual score with the other 90% made up on scores for personality, bingo knowledge, calling skills (they are marked for tone, clarity and checking claims) and their suitability to be an Ambassador for the bingo industry.
A new introduction to the 2008 awards is the ability for a callers fan to vote for them online. All of the 36 regional finalists will be uploaded onto You Tube and points will be awarded to the entrants who receive the most "favourite" votes.
It is then whittled down to one Finalist per region with each of them receiving a £250 prize and an all expenses trip to London for the final.
All in all it seems quite a nerve racking process and I will keep an eye out for the You Tube links.
Dates for the Diary
North East Regional Final - Wednesday 10th September
North West Regional Final - Thursday 11th September
Midlands Regional Final - Thursday 18th September
Wales Regional Final - Friday 19th September
Scotland Regional Final - Monday 29th September
South Regional Final - Friday 3rd October
National Final - London - Sunday 30th November
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