Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Ensuring every athlete achieves their dreams.

Participating in a Protea Team is not and end result, it is the entry ticket to International Competition.

Gatekeeping is defined by the Urban dictionary is defined as, "when someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity". 

Essentially, gatekeeping is an ongoing practice that a hierarchy of power within the community and further excludes others.

It has come to Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) Board's attention that a number of gamers are unfairly and erroneously accusing MSSA of acting as a gatekeeper apropos the selection of South Africa's National Teams.

The accusation is most unfortunate and absolutely untrue.

But, lets look at the facts.

To participate in MSSA's National Team Trials (NTT), the rules are the same as per many years:

  1. If being of the age of majority and have received Protea and/or, National Federation, and/or Provincial Colours in the previous year, shall have successfully completed an Umpires’ Course (if such course was held in the province in which such player resides after the date of being awarded such colours), and
  2. Have been awarded Protea and/or National Federation Colours in the previous year, or
  3. Have participated in MSSA events where such player shall have won a Regional Championship in such period/genre, or have finished in the top 20% or top three places, whichever is greater, at any official Provincial Championships for such period/genre, or have finished in the top 20% or top three places, whichever is greater, at the SA School National Championships for such period/genre, and be fully-paid-up members of an affiliated Member, and be ranked in the top ten of the Ladder for such period/genre.

Thus, on reading the above, Registered Players, have an opportunity like in no other sport to participate in National Team Trials as entry to Trials is NOT based on any official's personal preference and or bias, but is instead totally based on registration and performance in official, and/or officially accredited, events.

Then at NTT, the policy is quite clear. 

MSSA selects the Captain per period (title, whether esports, wargames, boardgames, card games, Phygital, etc), of the winning team who then selects his/her team and advises MSSA of such).

Thus, selection rests firmly in the hands of the Registered Players in order to produce the highest quality teams from the athletes who have qualified to be at NTT from MSSA's official and accredited events.

Thus on a careful reading of the above, it is clear that MSSA, and its officials, are unable to do any form of gatekeeping to ensure that every athlete has every opportunity to achieve their dreams.

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