Sunday 26 January 2020

OLD EDWARDIAN MIND SPORTS CLUB NAMES ITS COMMITTEE FOR 2020

Colin Webster, three times world wargames champion, is chairperson of the Old edwardian Mind Sports Club.
The Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club (OEMSC) was founded in 1982. Originally known as the Johannesburg Wargames Club the club moved to the Old Edwardian Society in 1989. As such OEMSC is the oldest member club in Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) and is probably the oldest club in the world that caters for board games, esports, and wargames.

The club has produced a number of Protea team members as well as having produced four world champions.

Thus a club steeped in history and excellence remains at the cutting edge of development of esports in South Africa - and the world!

At OEMSC's recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), the following were elected into office to steer the club forward:

  • Colin Webster - Chairperson
  • Terence Allwright
  • Donald Mullany
  • Desmond Schoeman
The committee can boast of having over 82 years of experience between the four committee members. The experience is tempered with knowledge at all levels from grass-roots through to international.

OEMSC is determined to emba
rk on an exciting programme to add value to all the games which it hosts.

For further information, you may contact the club on wargames@iafrica.com or on WhatsApp on 073 593 9451.


Also read:

Good turnout at Gauteng level 1 umpire's course.

All the successful participants of MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course.
There is no doubt that in order for the standard of gaming to improve, all the support services attached to the industry need to also be improved upon.

Thus Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), pays particular atttention to the standard of umpiring, and has done so since its inception in 1985.

MSSA's umpires, as as MSSA President Amanda Kwaza, claims, MSSA's front line, for it is the umpires that deal face-to-face with the competitive athletes at a competition, and often have to deal with the press and team management.

Much falls on the broad shoulders of the umpires, making there herculean efforts of great importance and making the umpires a vital cog in the growth of MSSA's activities.

Not only did the Gauteng Level 1 course see an increase in the total numbers attend, but it also saw the number of clubs, and the number of women increase. There were even participants from Botswana and Zimbabwe.

MSSA's umpire's courses are the oldest established such courses among all of IESF's member national federations, and MSSA has had a system in place for accrediting umpires since 1988.

With the increase of participation, it is clear that MSSA is continuing with solid sustainable growth, and will be ablee to deliver more-and-more to its member clubs, Registered Players, and the entire gaming community.

Also read:

Friday 24 January 2020

12th Esports World Championship - Game Titles Reveal Date

IESF's World Championships witnesses esports athletes represent their nations with pride.
International Esports Federation (IESF) had revealed that Sunday, March 1st, 2020 is the official announcement date of the game titles to be played at the 12th Esports World Championship in Eilat, Israel.

Aside from the game titles featured in the 12th Edition of the Esports World Championship, the announcement shall also include the dates of the event, as well as a first-time reveal of the event’s logo.

The Esports World Championship is IESF’s flagship competition, where gamers from all over the world participate in a unique and vibrant tournament while representing their national flag. 

The event is the only major Esports tournament featuring national teams, and this year’s competition is expected to be the largest one to date, with approximately 60 nations are set to participate.

The announcement shall be streamed live on IESF’s twitch channel. The exact time of the announcement will be shared soon via IESF’s social media channels.

Mind Sports South (MSSA) has participated in IESF's World Championships from the beginning, and
Amanda Pakade, MSSA President (second
on the right), and Johan van Breda,
 MSSA Team Manager (on the extreme right)
pose with Israeli Esports Federation's
 officials after the announcement of IESF's
 2020 host.
is the only member National Federation to have delivered a full team, for all the various game titles every single year.
MSSA is once again committed to deliver a full team to Eilat, however, it must be noted that the team will be drawn from players who meet the criteria in MSSA's Regional, Provincial,  and National Championships.

Also read:

Calling all those wishing to serve as Selectors to volunteer...

Under Amanda Pakade's presidency, enormous changes have been effected to further streamline MSSA.
With the selection of any team there are always those who claim that they could have done a better job at selecting the team.

It does not matter which sport it is, it could be rugby, football, netball, hockey, and so forth, but there are always members of the community who are quite vociferous about their opinions.

Sometimes, however, such critics are right.

There is always someone out there that does know better. There is always someone who can make a great contribution.

Thus Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), being truly aware of the talent that exists in South Africa, has opened the Selection Committee to interested persons who do not have to be Registered Players.

There is now, no reason, to be a side-line selector.

MSSA needs four individuals to be its selectors for 2020. At least two have to be Registered Players, while the other two do not have to be Registered Players.

However, the people elected as Selectors shall sign the Undertaking and keep all discussions confidential.


All Selector's shall be suitably qualified for the role, which shall include, but not be limited to: 
  • previous experience as a selector, 
  • previous international experience as a player or involvement with competitive gaming, 
The emphasis shall always be placed on knowledge of the level of competition required at international level.

Mind Sports South Africa thus requests all interested persons to send in their applications, together with a CV., to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com by 15 February 2020.


Also read:

Thursday 23 January 2020

Growing esports.

Often the real prize is hidden by more the more 'showy' aspects.
Growing an esports organization is very much like gardening.

Imagine, if you will, growing a pumpkin plant. Every part of the plant is edible, yes, the leaves, the stems, the flowers, and the fruit.

Thus the gardener is immediately in a dilemna. Should the gardener decide to harvest the leaves, the plant immediately retards the production of flowers and thus the production of fruit. By doing the quick-gain, the gardener never gets to see the final product, unless by showing great restraint, never taking more than he/she should in order to allow the plant to generate enough flowers and fruit.

This is the choice in which all those involved in growing an esports organization are faced.

The leaves represent the short-term gains to be made. By only concentrating on the short-term gains, the organization, and the officials thereof, never see the final product. They lose sight of the overall picture (maybe they never had it) and only see the short term benefits for themselves. Such individuals push for every short-term gain, and not only endanger the organization itself, but run the risk of doing irreparable harm to the environment as well. Should the environment be damaged, it not only impedes the growth of the organization that has damaged such environment, but also the effects the environment in which  the organizations that due pursue a  greater vision operate.

The fruit of the plant thus represents the full vision. Esports, as a sport, has much to offer on every single level. That is if it is pursued to the full. Esports can produce not only employment for those directly involved in esports, but also employment in many auxilliary services.

More importantly, esports as an accredited sport, can lead individuals to their full potential in their gaming, academic, and business lives. Through the award of official colours, players are able to obtain bursaries and improve themselves.

By competing in strict official structures, players are able to develop character. Such character will help them through all the trials and tribulations of later life - and there will be many!

Thus Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has its eyes firmly set of the overall picture. While many veer off for personal aggrandisement and financial gain, MSSA remains true to its course of delivering to its members and ensuring that esports remains a true sport.

It was solely through MSSA's efforts that esports was accepted as a sport in 2005 and that Protea Colours were awarded to an esports team in the same year.

Also read:

Sunday 19 January 2020

"Give him a gold coin and send him home. He has a story to tell." Beowulf

Charlize Seremak, with support structures, has made  it all the way to top international competition.
Every championship in which a Registered Player competes adds to the sum total of the players' experiences.

The championships help define the personal individual in terms of character, strength, perseverance, dedication, and endurance.

Not every tournament runs smoothly, not every umpire makes the right call, not everything goes the way that the player wants it to go.

It is the player who can rise above all the vagaries of competition that becomes a true champion. Not only a champion in the sense of winning, but also a champion in the sense of becoming a well-rounded individual who is able to take all obstacles in his/her stride.

It is therefore important for players to participate in as many championships as possible. The experience gained in a multitude of championships, under the correct guidance of a coach, will put the player in good stead for later life.

Without training and/or competing under proper guidance, the player will pick up bad habits and will rarely ever rise to his/her full potential. It is not practice that makes perfect, it is perfect practice that makes perfect.

With proper coaching within training sessions and competition, the player will be able to rise to his/her own personal bests, and go home with a story to tell, and a story that they can tell all their lives...

Also read:

Friday 17 January 2020

10th Online School Championships - 8 February 2020.

It is expected that Blake Govender (Oakhill School) will be playing in order tomaintain his spot in the Protea Team.
MSSA is proud to announce that it will once again hold its 10th School Provincial Online Championships on 8 February 2020.

The championship may be used by gamers to qualify for eligibility to be selected for the National Squads, from which the National Teams shall be drawn, should MSSA need to choose a team for any of the titles played in such championships.

MSSA's School Online Championships has become South Africa's largest official online championship. It is an event that lasts from 10H00 until 18H00 and has proved itself to be a most enjoyable event.

The esports titles to be played in all MSSA's school championships and leagues are as follows:

Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
ShooterCS GOPC,165 v 5
PaladinsPC/console125 v 5
SportFIFA ‘20PC31 v 1
PES 2020PS 431 v 1
MOBADota 2PC125 v 5
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
VainGloryTablet/cell123 v 3
FightingStreet Fighter VConsole121 v 1
CardHearthStoneMobile71 v 1

MSSA would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the dedicated Educators for ensuring that the school teams are ready-and-able and for giving up so much of their time and patience. Only once the learners have left school will they really comprehend what the Educators have done for them.

The championship would not be possible without the continued support from Educators.

Thank you!

Tournament Structure:

As per the MSSA's rules, being:
  • If less than six players, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
  • If 6 to 10 players the championship shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
  • If 11 to 30 players the championship shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System
Eligibility:
  • Any player/team who is a Registered Player affiliated to a school affiliated to MSSA may enter through such school club.
Entry fee:
  • Entry is R35.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.
Entry date:
  • Entries need to be submitted by no later than Monday, 5 February 2019.
Registration:
Age restrictions:
Educators must ensure that their teams/players are compliant with South Africa's age restrictions per game title. Under-aged players shall not be allowed to compete.

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women in the following categories:
  • MEN: The top three places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd)).
  • WOMEN: The top three places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd))

Please note that the medals shall be awarded to the players at the next LAN championship in which such team/player enters and participates.

Colours:
  • School Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn School Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a any two (or more) Provincial Championships, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn School Provincial Colours.
When and Where:
  • 8 February 2020
  • The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 
  • Players must all be on-line at 9H00.
The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:
  • The awarding of school provincial colours;
  • The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for both men and women;
  • The ability to qualify for National Team Trials. 
As usual Trials shall be done at a LAN venue, and the team that can best represent South Africa shall then be selected.

Shout casting:
  • The MSSA shall decide who may shout-cast the games.
  • Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com 

Thursday 16 January 2020

How a private club affiliates to Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA).

Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club is the oldest club, with continuous membership, affiliated to MSSA.
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.

MSSA promotes all  the different disciplines equally, although each affiliated club may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote in its club. Some clubs will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.

The choice is ultimately up to the member club.

The various mind sports offer unique opportunities to many South Africans. Many Souuth Africans have been able to earn Regional, Provincial, and National Colours which have allowed them to earn bursaries and obtain first-class educations.

MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. 


All selected have found being part of the national team to be an education in itself.. 

All clubs must be legal bodies, as well as being non-profit organizations. Thus each club needs to have a founding document. Associations may use the draft constitution provided below.

It is the club that is the member of MSSA, while the players are affiliated to the club.


Any applicant needs to be aware of the following:
  1. MSSA’s Constitution
  2. MSSA’s General Regulations
  3. Proforma Constitution - this is a draft constitution that is used by many clubs affiliated to MSSA, 
  4. An Application for Affiliation form,
  5. Registration Forms for all players – including the administrators and any/all coaches,
  6. The fee note form – please note that the fees for private clubs are R104.00 affiliation fee and R110.00 per player per annum, 
  7. The Letter of Undertaking, and
  8. A brochure about MSSA
In order to affiliate, the completed Application for affiliation Form must be submitted to the MSSA.

Once the Board has approved a club’s affiliation, the club then needs to complete the Google Registration Page allocated to the club for the players and make payment.

All club members may participate in all events for which it qualifies. Such events include meetings, championships, courses, and so forth. 

Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: 

There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:
  1. Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
  2. Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding – MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
  3. Being able to get assistance from your local government
  4. Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
  5. Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
  6. Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.
MSSA’s Constitution   

The Constitution forms the foundation of the MSSA. It guarantees members rights and governs the way that the MSSA operates. It can only be amended by a two-thirds majority at a Council Meeting. Please remember that Associations only have two (2) votes each, whereas member clubs have a representational vote, being: normal clubs: one vote per every five registered players, and school clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.

MSSA’s General Regulations   


The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed.   Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.

MSSA’s Discipline Specific Regulations   


The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.


Application for Affiliation form   

When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.

Fee note for 2020 

The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.

Player Registration Form   


The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.

MSSA’s Letter of Undertaking   

The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.

Social Media

The MSSA makes use of the following:
Should you have any queries whatsoever, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

Monday 13 January 2020

Registration for MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course - 25 January 2020.

Previous participants at MSSA's Gauteng Umpire's Course.
For all those Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) member clubs that wish to send delegates to MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course to be held on 25 January 2020, such clubs need to download the Registration Form, complete such, and submit the completed form to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

The registration form may be found at:


Details of MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course are as follows:

Date: 25 January 2020
Time: 9H00 - 18H00
Cost: R331.00 per person
Venue: Old Edwardian Society, 9 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg
Date by which registration must be submitted: 20 January 2020

The cost will include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch.

The course shall include:
  • Ethics
  • Background to MSSA's systems
  • Roles of the different umpires
  • Entry
  • Pairings
  • Data capturing of results
  • How results are further used
At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as level 1 umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

Friday 10 January 2020

How school clubs affiliate for the 2020 season.

North West University (NWU) is the proud sponsor of MSSA's Online School League.
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.

MSSA promotes all  the different disciplines equally, although each school may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote at its school. Some schools will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.

The choice is ultimately up to the school.

The various mind sports offer unique opportunities to many South African learners. Many learners have been able to earn Regional, Provincial, and National Colours which have allowed them to earn bursaries and obtain first-class educations.
MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. Many members of the national teams have been scholars, and all have benefited from their involvement in the national Protea Team.
 

With the above in mind the MSSA has streamlined the process for schools to affiliate to the MSSA. There is still the option open for a school to start a full-blown sub-club on its premises, but bearing in mind the tight regulatory conditions under which accredited schools have to operate in the Republic, the MSSA no longer deems it necessary for a school to start a sub-club.

As long as the school club has the approval of the school, and has an Educator-in-Charge, a school may affiliate by merely completing the Application for Affiliation Form and submitting such to MSSA.
Any applicant needs to be aware of the following:
1.    MSSA’s Constitution
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17Mp0R18tLGgpXwbWFufG3yOAsKNe7rVP
2.    MSSA’s General Regulations
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h6Za5yBD4LlymH2WuFf5genqXuBd6NSD
3.    An Application for Affiliation form,  
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bPmnmvPu0ZYYye_ZB8uSzyxqGJ3hYTLX
4.    Registration Forms for all players – including the teacher in charge and any/all coaches, 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ueL9ocHH1ftFJ7yOwnDkYT0ll54auFQs
5.    The fee note form – please note that the fees for school clubs are R104.00 affiliation fee and R10.00 per player (including the Educator-in-Charge) per annum, 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1E3oRMA1NBBFtDA1Sg231yqUd2_9gZ9td
6.    The Letter of Undertaking
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1ma4A2XZaSiR2hJMThjMUxDdVEand
7.    A brochure on the MSSA
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZzfT280fxlzP5m22Z4wJAHWBGtNpkJAY
In order to affiliate, the completed Application for affiliation Form must be submitted to the MSSA.

Once the Board has approved a school’s affiliation, the school then needs to complete the Google Registration Page allocated to the school for the players and make payment.

All school members may participate in all events for which it qualifies. Such events include meetings, championships, courses, and so forth. 

Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: 

There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:
  1. Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
  2. Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding – MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
  3. Being able to get assistance from your local government
  4. Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
  5. Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
  6. Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.
MSSA’s Constitution   

The Constitution forms the foundation of the MSSA. It guarantees members rights and governs the way that the MSSA operates. It can only be amended by a two-thirds majority at a Council Meeting. Please remember that Associations only have two (2) votes each, whereas member clubs have a representational vote, being: normal clubs: one vote per every five registered players, and school clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.

MSSA’s General Regulations   


The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed.   Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.

MSSA’s Discipline Specific Regulations   


The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.
Application for Affiliation form   

When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.

Fee note for 2020 

The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.

Player Registration Form   


The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.

MSSA’s Letter of Undertaking   

The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.

Social Media

The MSSA makes use of the following: