Esports South Africa, and other games : Colin Webster

Showing posts with label Colin Webster. Show all posts

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Selected for the third year in a row.

Barry Bridges is looking at helping raise South African esports to greater heights.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA)has always put the interests of its athletes first.

MSSA realises that for sportspersons to excel in this ever demanding world, talent alone is not enough. The athlete must have the full support of parents, coaches, administrators and other support staff if he or she is to attain victory in the most gruelling of circumstances.

The athlete too needs to take into account all of his or her needs, whether they be on a physical, mental and physiological level.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is ever mindful that it is possible to improve player welfare and thus performance. With such a belief in mind MSSA has appointed Mr. Barry Bridges as its online coach and wellness consultant.

Barry Bridges (ZAG Academy) is a qualified sports scientist who holds international certifications in sleep science, sports performance, golf fitness, and FMS movement testing. He is based in Cape Town, South Africa and has over 12 years of experience working with Golf fitness for professional golfers such as interprovincial, national and sunshine tour golfers. While Barry had focused extensively on the golf industry he also has experience in working as a coach for strength and conditioning (soccer), corporate wellness, sleep coaching, and esports performance.

Barry will offer remote support for Team Esports South Africa at the IESF World Esports Championships and other future events. He will offer support in various sectors in wellness such as sleep, nutrition, exercise and overall cognitive performance for players. Barry will help MSSA ensure that their players are mentally and physically ready for competition.

MSSA president, Colin Webster, is enthusiastic about his appointment and stated, "Barry's appointment will not only have immediate effects on the South African Esports Protea Team, but will also raise all South African esports to a new level."

Thursday, 24 February 2022

IESF 2022 World Esports Championships to Feature Record $500,000 Prize Pool

Busan, South Korea (23 February 2022) – International Esports Federation (IESF) has announced a total prize pool of $500,000 to be awarded at the upcoming 14th WE Championships Finals, taking place in Bali, Indonesia from 27 November to 9 December. The WE Championships prize pool has seen an unprecedented increase in just one year, from $55,000 in 2021 to $500,000 this year.

IESF President Vlad Marinescu said: “We are very excited for this momentous growth of the 2022 WE Championships Finals prize pool to $500,000, which is representative of the growing popularity and credibility of our flagship event. We are on track to hold the biggest and most inclusive WE Championships yet. We look forward to further increasing access to professional Esports opportunities and providing athletes with the ultimate environment to perform at their full potential.” Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) President, Colin Webster (also Past President of IESF) stated, "This is a welcome development which is the fruit of many years of hard work by successive IESF Boards. The increase in prize money will further enable the growth of esports as a mainstream sport and is greatly welcomed by MSSA."

IESF recently announced the six game titles which will be featured at the competition. CS:GO, Dota 2, Tekken 7 and eFootball will return to this year’s WE Championships and mobile games PUBG mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will be featured for the first time. Registration for National Federations opened on 20 February and over 120 countries across six continents are expected to compete in the regional and national qualifiers.

The WE Championships remains the sole international Esports event where athletes compete by representing their countries. Bali was awarded hosting rights in September 2021 and was handed over the hosting duties during a special ceremony following the 2021 WE Championships Finals in Eilat, Israel, which united the World Esports Family for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022

Colin Webster re-elected as President of Mind Sports South Africa.

Germiston's own Colin Webster (right) seen here receiving an award from His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed al Maktoun, President of UAE Olympic Committee, has been re-elected as President of Mind sports South Africa (MSSA).

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) was founded in 1985, and one of the persons instrumental in the founding of MSSA was Colin Webster.

Colin Webster served as President of MSSA from its founding through to 2013 when Simphiwe Maphumulo was elected in as MSSA President.

From 2013 until 2022, Colin Webster served as MSSA's General Secretary where he was able to give the duly elected Presidents at such time, Simphiwe Maphumulo, Morizane Boyes, and Amanda Pakade much needed support.

However, Colin's commitment to Mind Sports was not restricted only to South Africa. Colin also served on International Esports Federation (IESF) as a Board Member (2013 - 2018) and as President of IESF (2018 - 2020), on International Wargames Federation as President, and served on Confederation of African Esports (CAES) from (2008 - 2013) and then as General Secretary of CAES from 2014 until the present.

Colin Webster always keen to volunteer, too served on South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Commission's (SASCOC) Dispute and Arbitration Commission for a number of years.

Not satisfied with participating on the Board, Colin has also immersed himself in almost every aspect of MSSA's operations. Thus in 1998, Colin was seen umpiring in South Africa's first official esports Championships - the Gauteng Provincial Championships held at Old Edwardian Society.

Colin is thus well known as a driving force in esports, and although has been involved in esports administration is known for his ability to promote youth and females in all structures. Being open to new ideas and change, Colin has encouraged MSSA to readily adapt to the changing conditions and circumstances.

With Colin re-elected as MSSA's President, MSSA is bound to move forward as never before.

Also read:

2022 Calendar of Events
Notices - Transfer season
Titles - esports: High School Championships
Titles - esports: Premier Championships
Titles - esports: Student Championships

Thursday, 4 November 2021

Further enforcing good governance.

Past president Simphiwe Maphumulo (2010 - 2013) holds a position of Hon. Vice-President.

It is a long established principle that all sports federations should have individuals on their management structures who are not directly beholden to any member.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is aware of the need, and in 2018 altered its Connstitution to bring one such person/s onto the Management Board.

At MSSA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 1 December 2018, it was unanimously agreed by all those eligible to vote to allow all past Presidents, who have completed all their terms and who currently do not hold an elected position shall be awarded the position of Hon. Vice-President.

Such Hon. Vice-President shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Council, and shall have power to vote at Executive and Management Board Meetings.

By bringing on past presidents who do not hold any other postions within MSSA, MSSA is able to draw on the vast knowledge base of such individuals, as well as have an individual on board who is more objective and detached.

A full list of MSSA's past presidents is as follows:

Date	Name	Protea Colours
1985 - 2013	Colin Webster	Wargames*, Boardgames, Esports
2013 - 2016	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Boardgames*
2016 - 2017	Morizane Boyes (resigned)	Esports
2017 - 2018	Amanda Kwaza	Boardgames, Esports
2018 - 2021	Amanda Kwaza	Boardgames, Esports

*dennotes those persons who have won a World championships while playing for South Africa in a Protea team.

Wednesday, 23 December 2020

Vlad Marinescu is elected at IESF's OGM to position of president.

The new and the old.... Vlad Marinescu (right) shaking hands with Colin Webster (left) at IESF's 10th World Championships - Kaohsiung.

At International Esports Federation's Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held on 21 December 2020 via ZOOM, Vlad Marinescu was formally elected in as IESF's president.

Vlad Marinescu succeeds Mind Sports South Africa's own Colin Webster. Colin has served International Esports Federation (IESF) since 2013 until becoming President in 2018, and is largely responsible for much of the democratizing process.

Saeed Sharaf (of the Syrian Esports Association was heard to say of Colin, "You built IESF as it's today. Thank you for the hard and dedicated work".

Colin Webster was the first non Korean to be elected into office as IESF president. It was under Colin's watch that IESF enforced a greater degree of good governance.

Colin, when asked about Vlad Marinescu, said, "IESF can be proud to have Vlad Marinescu as its President. Vlad was first co-opted onto IESF's Board in 2019 and seems to have a firm understanding of good governance as well as having a dynamic vision for IESF for the future."

Saturday, 28 November 2020

The 5th Global Esports Executive Summit to be held online!

The 5th Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES20) opens its doors on 29 November 2020 in Busan, South Korea. GEES20, to be held on November 29th and 30th, 2020, is the 5th annual installment of IESF’s Global Esports Executive Summit which aims to be a shining example for the COVID-19 era with its innovative online-offline format. GEES20 will start at 16:00 (KST) / 09:00 (SAST) on both days.

GEES was started in 2015, and has been held on an annual basis. The conference has grown in stature and has gathered key esports stakeholders from around the globe to create an environment for discussion, education, and action towards esports development through conferences, exhibitions, academic lectures, and networking events.

As International Esports Federation (IESF) effectively faces the challenges posed by COVID-19 head on, plans have been made this year for delegates to participate and contribute both live at the venue, and online. Lectures and presentations will be broadcast live on IESF’s Youtube. Thus GEES20 is shaping up to be a truly unique and groundbreaking event.

This year’s theme is Evolution and Expansion!

The agenda consists of four sessions, each covering a different topic, and including the participation of guests who will give keynote addresses and engage in panel discussions at the venue and online around the world.

The GEES20 Sessions:

Nov. 29th

1. Esports and Traditional Sports Convergence

Identifying Opportunities for Collaboration
Developing Opportunities for Collaboration
Bringing Our Communities Together

2. Diversity Marketing and Esports

Marketing to Esports Diversity
Expanding Markets and Brand Partners

Nov. 30th

1. Esports in the Time of COVID-19

Recognizing Opportunities for Esports
The Unique Position of Esports

2. New Frontiers in Esports Technology

Display Technologies in Esports
Exploring New Esports Technology

See the full list of speakers here!

The two-day event takes place at the Busan Esports Arena in Busan, South Korea, less than two weeks after the brand new, state-of-the-art facility’s official grand opening on November 18th. The Esports Arena was announced in March 2019, under the presidency of Colin Webster, and was made possible due to the investment from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the City of Busan. The Busan Esports Arena promises to be a boon for IESF events, and for Korean esports in general. It features a main arena, two sub-arenas and cutting edge facilities for players, staff, and fans.

GEES20 is supported by the City of Busan and the Busan IT Promotion Agency (BIPA).

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

A presidential clash.

Vlad Marinescu (left) is contesting IESF's presidency against His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE).

International Esports Federation's Boards from 2013 laid solid foundations upon which the IESF could grow and prosper. Over the years, especially while South African, Colin Webster, was president, special attention was applied to good governance, gender equity and increasing IESF's visibility on a global scale.

It was from 2013 that IESF ensured that it had created the correct policies and procedures to enter, and be accepted into, the world of international sport.

With the position of IESF's presidency now being open, two formidable candidates are vying for the top spot.

Both candidates currently serve on IESF's Board and have both made invaluable contributions to IESF. The candidates are none other than Vlad Marinescu (USA) and His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE). Vlad Marinescu made his debut into IESF in 2019 when he was co-opted onto the Board. The Board recognizing his abilities, voted him into the vacant position of Vice-President. Vlad's enthusiasm is infectious and through his efforts, great efforts have been made to increase IESF's membership. His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan's dedication and commitment to esports has been truly spectacular. Being a driving force in the UAE, as well as a past president of AESF, and as a Board member of IESF, His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan has always been the voice of reason. The elections will take place on 21 December 2020 and, there is no doubt, that whomever is elected, IESF, and the entire esports community,i stands to be a winner. Also read:

Thursday, 11 June 2020

IESF announces the Esports Education and Youth Leadership Commission

Ex IESF President, Colin Webster, lecturing aspirant referees on the importance of ethics in February 2020.

The International Esports Federation (IESF) is excited to announce the Esports Education and Youth Leadership Commission is initiated.

The Esports Education and Youth Leadership Commission will consist of three committees with, Academics, Administrators and Students. The commission will focus on not only expanding the ecosystem of esports and strengthening esports in schools but also developing curriculum material and courses that can be used for supporting education and learning to empower the youth under the shared visions and values.

Serhat Bekdemir, Founder of Turkey’s Collegiate Esports League and European University Masters’ LOL champions of 2018 with Bahçeşehir University was appointed to lead this Commission.

Vlad Marinescu, President of IESF, stated: "I am happy to announce that Serhat Bekdemir is going to lead IESF's Esports Education and Youth Leadership Commission. Mr. Bekdemir is a long-time trusted friend of IESF and will assume the role of the Commissioner to work closely with institutions to establish a strong commitment to making an impact in the Esports education and collegiate esports scene globally."

Serhat Bekdemir, the Commissioner of IESF Education and Youth Leadership, stated: "Grassroots esports is rising, and this is a great opportunity for me to work for IESF to support their mission, uniting the esports world. We are now calling for the best esports education institutions to get together and share the best practices from all over the world to help educate the youth, families and institutions about esports under the IESF's leadership."

Mr. Bekdemir is one of the early movers in esports who has been active since the late '90s. He has been working intensively to integrate esports into education, creating opportunities and empowering the youth to start their careers in esports. He is currently working with the American University of Malta to establish a new program.

IESF's Esports Education and Youth Leadership Commission will work to unite and support the collegiate ecosystem and raise the standard of esports through its member nations.

Saturday, 17 November 2018

Colin Webster Elected as New President of IESF

Colin Webster giving the opening address at IESF's 10th World Championships - Kaohsuing City.

The 2018 International Esports Federation's General Meeting (GM) took place on November 10th at the ‘TESL Arena’ in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, during IESF's 10th Esports World Championship (WC).

Colin Webster, former IESF Board Member and General Secretary of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), was elected as the new President of IESF to serve the role for the remaining term of presidency, which is until 2019 GM. Mr. Colin Webster has been with the IESF Board since 2013, and has been actively involved in promoting esports as a fully accredited sport, conducting dialogues with various traditional sports stakeholders.

In fact, Mind Sports South Africa was the first national federation to be accepted as a member of a National Olympic Committee, and MSSA was able to award Protea Colurs to its teams as far back as 2005.

Tuesday, 3 April 2018

IESF signs MOU with Kaohsiung City and CTESA.

Zheng Baoqing (CTESA), Mayor Chen Ju (Kaohsiung City, and Colin Webster (IESF) at the signing of the MOU.

The signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for IESF's 10th World Esports Championship was held in Taipei on Monday, 2 April 2018.

International Esports Federation (IESF) was represented by Colin Webster, the host city of Kaohsiung, by Mayor Chen Ju, and Chinese Taiwan Esports Association (CTESA) was represented by its chairman, Zheng Baoqing.

The organisations are determined to fully implement a world-class esports tournament which will meet all the the criteria and requirements.

IESF's 10th World Championships being held in Chinese Taipei is testament to the strength and dynamism of Taiwan’s gaming industry.

After the signing ceremony was completed, IESF representative Colin Webster also officially awarded IESF's flag to Kaohsiung City and CTESA to deliver the heavy responsibility of propagating the electric competition to Taiwan.

Saturday, 17 June 2017

MSSA releases its updated rankings for Ancients.

Jacques Gertzen - chairman of Witbank's only wargames club.

Mind Sports South Africa's Mpumulanga Championships once again saw wargames being played at the provincial championships.

The continued support by a number of wargamers from around the country has seen a wargames club develop in Witbank. Such club is the Teutonic Knights Wargames Club which is more than efficiently run by Jacques Getzner.

In less than a year, the standard of play at the Teutonic Knights Wargames Club has improved exponentially.

However, it is through hard work and dedication that such standard has improved. Members of the Teutonic Knights Wargames Club were present at MSSA's 29th S A National Championships (2016), at MSSA's 34th Gauteng Provincial Championships, at MSSA's 21st North West Championships, and at MSSA's 16th Mpumulanga Provincial Championships.

To improve, it is vital for players to participate in as many championships as possible.

The rankings are as follows:

Pos	Name of Player	year	Club	Points
1	Batzofin, Jason 14	17	Old Edwardian Wargames Club	618.9
2	Webster, Colin 91	17	Old Edwardian Wargames Club	589.5
3	Schoeman, Garth 02	17	Knights Mind Sports Club	336.1
4	Allwright, Terence	17	Old Edwardian Wargames Club	335.5
5	Retief, Elishia 14	17	North West University	263.2
6	Barry, Sean 09	17	Uplands College	252.6
7	Burger, Erasmus	15	TUKS Mind Sports Club	195
8	Bouwer, Abie	15	Old Edwardian Wargames Club	195
9	Havenga, Duane	15	WAR	195
10	Beuken, Leopold	15	Riverview Mind Sports Club	195
11	Hervey, Simon	15	Pretoria Boys High School	190
12	Louw, Adam	15	Pretoria Boys High School	155.1
13	Getzner, Jacques	17	Teutonic Knights Mind Sports Club	136.5
14	van Vuuren, Marius	15	WAR	107.9
15	Els, Anja	17	Teutonic Knights Mind Sports Club	107
16	Bouwer, Natan	15	Old Edwardian Wargames Club	100
17	Groenewald, Zenadia	15	WAR	100
18	Love, Dorian	16	St John's College	100
19	Schoeman, Alex	15	Knights Mind Sports Club	81.6

Rankings published by MSSA are:

Monday, 27 February 2017

OFM interviews Colin Webster

Here is a link to the podcast:

http://www.ofm.co.za/article/saturday-express-/228144/saturday-express-mind-sports-as-a-hobby-colin-webster-from-mssa-

Monday, 6 February 2017

25th Old Edwardian Wargames Championships

Colin Webster - five time winner of the Old Edwardian Summer Wargames Championships.

On 4 & 5 February 20!7, the Old Edwardian Wargames Club held its annual wargames championships.

Such championship is open to any player whether they are a member of MSSA or not, and many believe that the championships marks the beginning of South africa's season.

The championship differs considerably from MSSA's championships as players have to select armies that are 600AP (600 Army Points) in strength as opposed to the usual 400AP.

However, the additional 200AP are not immediately used in battle, such extra 200AP are kept in reserve to replace losses.

Yes, losses are carried forward.

Thus armies, if misused, may dwindle in size to almost nothing for the final game.The championship too forces players to re-evaluate the different troops that they use, and, as a result after such championships, many of the players who participated emerge for the year's gruelling round of championships with leaner, and very much meaner, troop combinations.

The championship affords the top competitors the opportunity to experiment more than in any other competition.

Thus the championship is always well subscribed and hard-fought.

The results of the championship were:

Division	Pos	Name	Club
PREMIER	1	Colin Webster	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
	Tie 2	Jason Batzofin	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
	Tie 2	Terence Allwright	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
Under 24	1	Gregory Laycock	Tuks University

Esports South Africa, and other games