So, it’s been a year!

I’ve gone back and forth on whether or not to write something for this, but it feels like one of those things I’d regret skipping.

It’s been a year since I became a Pokemon GO Community Ambassador and a year since RDAB became an established community.

And to be fair, it did feel like a big milestone at the time. I remember thinking “okay so these meetups actually mean something now”. Not just a few of us turning up, but something recognised, something with a bit of weight to it.

I just don’t think I realised how much the meet-ups would grow, and how much the programme would help make a community of outdoor gamers blossom from there.

Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of my time just being present. Walking routes, coming up with sometimes crazy ideas for meetups with everyone, chatting with people, occasionally stressing on whether everything’s going to come together or not (it always does).

And the one thing I’ve really noticed, is how familiar everything has become. You start recognising faces without even thinking about it.

You know who’s going to be at Elmfield, or Cantley, or who you might bump in to on your travels.

You know who’s going to be five minutes late but still show up. 👀

Things quickly stop feeling like a meetup with strangers, and just something big that you’re a part of.

There have obviously, without a doubt been some massive highlights we have created and shared together this year.

GO Tour, GO Wild Area, Gigantamax Machamp, GO Fest Global, adventures out in Paris, our first big Golden Lure Party, and who’s to forget the massive Community Celebration in-person we hosted.

And whilst I’m thankful for all these incredible memories, and even more thankful to have made some friends for life through being a part of this community and helping Annie create the best community in the world…

The things I’ve enjoyed most haven’t really been the big headline moments.

It’s been the smaller stuff — Helping someone figure something out for the first time, seeing people come back after their first meetup with us, helping someone out who’s going through a rough time, giving and taking advice from others, sharing laughs and banter, watching people who wouldn’t know each other outside of RDAB - properly get to know each other and chat like they’ve been mates for years.

That’s the real highlight, that’s the bit that sticks.

I think where I’m at with it, is that I’m proud to be a part of it.

Being an Ambassador hasn’t really ever felt like a ‘title’ I have to live up to, or something that made people place expectations on me. I was worried about this a year ago.

It’s just meant showing up, doing my bit, and trying my best to make sure people have a good experience when they come along.

Some weeks that’s smooth. Others it is chaotic 😅😂. (If you’ve ever seen us five minutes before a global event meetup starts, you’ll know exactly what I mean.)

I do want to say thank you though, properly.

To Annie, KieranGG, KieranM, Eastwood, Mike, Liam, all of the guides, the volunteers. Everything that happens to make this community and our meetups awesome experiences doesn’t just happen. It’s because behind the scenes - all of the above dedicate their time, energy, effort and passion for communities and this city into RDAB for you.

They put in a lot of love and care, and it shows.

And to everyone who’s showed up this year. Whether it’s every week, every big event, once in a blue moon, only ever digitally, or even just once to see what all the fuss is about. You have all been a part of this. You shape the atmosphere, the vibe, and you are the reason people come back here.

One year later, it’s not just something we started or joined or ticked off. It’s something that feels familiar, something people look forward to, something that’s found place in a lot of people’s routines. And for some of us, it’s become a second home - myself included.

And I think that’s what I’ve loved most about this past year being an Ambassador for you.

And it still feels like there’s much, much more to come. Here’s to the next year! 🍻 ❤️💙💛