Albany Tabletop Gamer Heads to UK for World Championships
Albany local and self-proclaimed “gamiest player in town,” Bob Quinn, is representing Australia on the world stage as he travels to Sheffield, UK, for the Bolt Action World Team Championships — a first for Aussie competitors.
Quinn, who has been immersed in the WWII-themed miniature tabletop game for five years, transformed his backyard shed into a training ground in preparation for the global tournament. “The prep is playing games, testing stuff — this works, this doesn’t,” he said, describing months of weekly practice sessions and strategic fine-tuning.
Bolt Action, known for its detailed gameplay and intricately painted models, blends tactical skill with creativity. “There’s the playing of the games, and then there’s what’s called the hobby — the painting, the building of the terrain,” Quinn explained.
He joins teammates from across Australia, despite the logistical challenges of long-distance coordination. Event organiser Dave Nolan confirmed this is the first time Australia has fielded teams at the championships, which also host competitions in Star Wars Legion and the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game.
Bolt Action is seeing a surge in popularity, with a 10% increase in teams since last year. “It started as flexing your muscles as a gamer,” Nolan said, “but now it’s just as much about catching up with friends.”
Back in Albany, fellow gamer John Gill highlights the camaraderie the hobby brings. “There’s a point as a guy where you either discover smoking meats or World War II,” he joked. “Bolt Action hits that history itch.”
Experts say tabletop gaming is on the rise globally. University of South Australia’s Dr. Susannah Emery credits pop culture, including Stranger Things, for reigniting interest in Dungeons & Dragons and miniature games. “You go into a store and there’s a whole community ready to help and engage,” she said.
For Quinn, it’s more than competition — it’s connection. “You’re playing the game, but you’re also talking about life,” he said. “It’s a really nice community.”
