Friday, 15 November 2024

Homeward bound!

Avonique Van Rooyen a young learner at Hoërskool Oosterlig is acknowledged as one of the world's rising stars in the female CounterStrike GO division.

Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) Female Protea CounterStrike GO Esports Team, having completed all their games is now enroute back to South Africa.

The team displayed the highest levels of sportsmanship throughout the championship, and the discipline, perseverance and playing skill attracted the attention on players, officials, and international scouts alike.

Of special interest is young Avonique Van Rooyen a young learner at Hoërskool Oosterlig, who performed exceptionally well at both the African Esports Championships in Casablanca in August 2024 as well as in IESF's World Esports Championships (WEC24).

Although Avonique is the youngest member of the team, her standard of play astounded all present and bodes well for her future participation in international events. Under the mentorship of team captain, Jessica Eleez Greeff, who incidentally is the most capped female in MSSA across all disciplines since 1984, Avonique shone as a player of exceptional standard and ability.

The team is:

NameNickClub
Johan van BredaZAG Academy
Jessica Eleez Greeff (Captain)iheartjessATK Club Sport
Avonique Van RooyenavoWhite Rabbit Amaryllis
Megan van der WesthuizenM3gzATK Club Sport
Kayhla Rose CalderKayCATK Club Sport
Christin BrazierGraceyyWhite Rabbit Amaryllis

Additional reading:

Thursday, 14 November 2024

Forged in Battle

Jessica Eleez Greeff (Captain) and Avonique Van Rooyen readying themselves for battle against Australia.

The Female Protea CounterStike GO Esports Team rebounded well on 12 November 2024 at IESF's 16th World Esports Championships (WEC24) after their defeat against Spain. It is also expected that the Spanish team will finish in the top four teams at such World Championships in the female division. 

The South African team took to the field against Norway. The first game saw South Africa down 5 - 7 at the end of the first half, but Jessie (the captain) rallied her team and lead them to a 13 - 10 victory. Norway fought fiercely in the second game to take the game 9 - 13, however, South Africa rallied in the third game to take the the game. 

The jubilant, although exhausted South African team, after two and a half hours of play) then broke for dinner. However, the team was thrown a curveball by officials and were instructed top play against a fresh Australian team with only a 15 minute break.

Without time to recharge, strategise, the weary South African prepared once more for battle against Australia who had rested since the day before.

The first game caught the South African team off guard, and the Australians took the game 13 - 4.

Nevertheless, the South African team proved they were made of sterner stuff, and fought back fiercely in the second game to win 13 - 8, however, fatigue crept in on the third game, which ultimately lead to slower reaction times and Australia snatched victory 13 - 8 in the third and final game to win 2 games to 1.

Both Colin Webster (MSSA President), and Johan van Breda (National Team Manager), as well as all the team members are convinced that had the playing field been level, the result may possibly have been different. However, such is sport, teams have curveballs thrown again them, and MSSA's Female Protea CounterStike GO Esports Team behaved with true sportsmanship throughout and are a credit to the nation, the game, their clubs, and themselves.

"I couldn't be prouder of MSSA's Female Protea CounterStike GO Esports Team", said Colin Webster (MSSA President).

The team is:

NameNickClub
Johan van BredaZAG Academy
Jessica Eleez Greeff (Captain)iheartjessATK Club Sport
Avonique Van RooyenavoWhite Rabbit Amaryllis
Megan van der WesthuizenM3gzATK Club Sport
Kayhla Rose CalderKayCATK Club Sport
Christin BrazierGraceyyWhite Rabbit Amaryllis

Additional reading:

Tuesday, 12 November 2024

2024 SA National Online Championships to be held on 7 December 2024.

Playing in MSSA's 2024 SA National Online Championships to be held on 7 December 2023 is a great way to qualify for MSSA's 2025 National Team Trials.

T
he hunt is on for the 2025 National Protea Esports Teams. 

To have a chance to qualify for selection, players must be members of an affiliated club and qualify for National Team Trials at a MSSA event.

Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) annual National Online Championships are well known for the ferocity of the competition and high standard of play.

MSSA's 2024 SA National Online Championships represent a wonderful chance for many aspiring Protea Esports Team members to earn a berth in the coveted National Team Trials (NTT) to be held 2025.

In order to participate, players must be registered for the 2024/2025 season.

The championship shall be held on 7 December 2024

Game titles to be played are:


Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
Shooter
CODMMobile184 v 4
CS GOPC165 v 5
PUBGMMobile184 v 4
Sport
FIFA '24PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
eFootball 2024 (Konami)PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and Console121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and Console123 v 3
MOBA
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Clash of ClansMobile121 v1
Mobile Legends Bang BangMobile125 v 5
Fighting
Tekken 8PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play161 v 1
Street Fighter 6PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1

Players are to acquaint themselves with the rules apropos substitutes and loadshedding.

Tournament Structure:


As per the MSSA's rules, being:

  • If less than six teams, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
  • If 6 to 10 teams enter the championship there shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
  • If 11 or more teams enter the championship there shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

  • Any team consisting of players who are Registered Players affiliated to a MSSA member club may enter.

Entries:

  • Entry is R100.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.
  • Entries must be submitted by midnight 6 December 2024
  • To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document. 
  • The entry form may be found on Google Drive. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_ERR6815uVjSMu4t5KkRxYqGJ_AA88kkz31qRgksASc/edit#gid=287696184
  • Clubs are to download the entry form, completed the downloaded form, and e-mail it to Mind Sports South Africa. 
  • Photographs of players must accompany the entry.
  • Only entries submitted via email and on Excel shall be accepted.

Medals:


Medals shall be handed over to winners at the next MSSA LAN that they attend. 


      MALE:

  • PREMIERMedals shall be awarded to the first three teams.
  • UNDER 24: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal and which are comprised entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • SCHOLARSMedals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized school, provided they have not received any Premier medals. 
        FEMALE:
  • PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams.
  • UNDER 24Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal and which are comprised entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized school, provided they have not received any Premier medals.

Colours:

  • Protea Colours: Only Players that are selected to represent South Africa in International Championships may earn National Colours if the Protea Colours Board's criteria are met.
  • National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn National Colours.
  • Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Provincial Colours.

        General:

        • The championship shall be played on: 7 December 2024
        • The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round.
        • Players playing 3 v 3 Rocket League shall be given 1.5 hours to complete the round.
        • The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. 
        • The championship shall be used for the awarding of provincial colours;
        • The championship shall be used for the awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in Premier, Under 24, and School categories;
        • The championship shall be used for the ability to qualify for National Team Squad.
        • All medals shall be awarded to the recipients at a MSSA LAN championships.

        Umpires:

        • Umpires may only be contacted over Discord on the day of competition. Any communication not on the Discord channel shall not be entered into.

        Ladder:

        • All games shall count towards the National Ladder.

        Shout casting:

        Additional reading: