How Go & Tea Is Bringing Go to Camrose Schools and the Community

In the heart of downtown Camrose, Alberta, Canada, tucked above the shops on Main Street, Go & Tea has quietly become a gathering place where tea culture meets the ancient strategy of Go. Since opening in January 2024, the tea room has welcomed newcomers, lifelong tea lovers, and Go enthusiasts into its warm, community-centered space.

Behind it all is Sarah Yu, an amateur 6-dan Go player whose connection to the game stretches back to her childhood in China. Sarah began learning Go at the age of six under the guidance of professional player Ruan Yunsheng (7p). After immigrating to Canada at fifteen, she represented Canada and North America in international events, winning a bronze medal in the Women’s Individual at the 2012 World Mind Sports Games in France and finishing 5th at the 2017 EMSA women’s division.

Today, instead of competing, Sarah devotes her energy to teaching. For her, the joy of Go lives in watching beginners discover the game’s elegance and depth.

A Space Built for Connection

Go & Tea offers more than thoughtfully brewed teas and quiet corners. It has become a welcoming hub where people of all ages can experience Go in an inviting, low-pressure environment. Parents sip tea while children explore the play corner; students drop by after school; and strangers become friends over a shared interest in this centuries-old game.

For Sarah, the tea room is not just a business—it is a bridge between cultures and generations.

A Meaningful Donation to Camrose Schools

On August 22, 2024, Go & Tea donated 20 Go sets, supplied by the Canadian Go Association (CGA), to the Battle River School Division (BRSD). Assistant Superintendent Stephen Hoyland visited the tea room to accept the donation and enjoyed a demonstration game with Sarah.

BRSD later released a media statement celebrating the contribution, noting that Go supports learning in numeracy, decision-making, cultural awareness, and relationship-building. Although the initial article did not mention the CGA, Go & Tea followed up to ensure proper credit was given for the donation of the equipment.

The introduction of Go into schools sparked genuine excitement. BRSD superintendent Rhae-Ann Holoien emphasized the many ways Go can enrich students’ learning, calling it a fun and meaningful educational tool.

A Teacher, A Summer Visit, and Growing Interest

During Summer 2025, a high school physics and chemistry teacher visited Go & Tea. He was delighted to discover that Go was making its way into his school district—and even more delighted to find a local space dedicated to the game.

He purchased his own Go set and brought it to school. With the start of the school year, he began hosting lunchtime Go sessions. Student interest grew so quickly that he returned to Go & Tea to purchase five more sets. By then, even the smaller 9×9 and 13×13 boards had completely sold out.

This spontaneous enthusiasm reflects something larger: Go resonates with students. It challenges their minds, fosters calm focus, and introduces them to a unique cultural tradition.

The Story Continues

In Camrose, a quiet but meaningful Go movement is taking shape:

A tea room offering a space for reflection and connection.

A school district welcoming a new way to learn.

Teachers and students discovering a game that sharpens the mind and soothes the spirit.

And a passionate teacher—Sarah—sharing a lifetime of experience, one game at a time.