Marisa van der Westhuizen is MSSA's Esports Representative.

MSSA President, Amanda Pakade (left) with MSSA Esports Representative, Marisa van der Westhuizen (right) at IESF's 10th World Championships.

At Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) Annual General Meeting (AGM), on 1 December 2018, Marisa van der Westhuizen was elected in as MSSA's new Esport Representative.

It is the Esports Representative's role to suggest and formulate any amendments which they believe necessary for MSSA to adapt in a constantly evolving esports industry. Those changes could be as miniscule as a map change in the current competitive map pool or even as profound as a change to the regulations. Added to such responsibility, is the duty to chair the Esports Board of Control (EBoC) which overseas esports on a day-to-day basis.

Marisa has been a competitive esports athlete for the better part of the last four (4) years and a casual gamer for most of her life. This is Marisa's second year as a part of MSSA's national CS:GO squad.

In 2018, Marisa served as a player, but this year she truly made history.

Not only was Marisa selected as the first ever female team captain of an official South African Protea CS:GO esports team, but she was also the first ever female to captain a CS:GO team at IESF's World Championships.

Her involvement in esports, however, goes beyond competing. Marisa feels a strong obligation to give back and as such it is no surprise that she is also a qualified umpire. Additionally she is involved with esports administration, facilitation, and coaching on a daily basis through her position at ZAG Academy.

While dedicating her time towards improving as an esports athlete over the past few years, as well as recently becoming a new mother, Marisa is proof that it is possible to realise your aspirations so long as you apply yourself diligently, comply with existing structures, and remain dedicated to your dreams.
There is a great deal of work and responsibility associated with the position, but the entire MSSA Management Board is confident in Marisa's abilities. Marisa is the second female to hold this position in the history of MSSA. Her predecessors are none other than luminaries such as: Rob Stevens (2005), Johann von Backström (2006 - 2008), Dr Ryan van den Bergh (2009 - 2011), David Webster (2011 - 2012), Ryan Boyes (2014 - 2018), and Angelique Ramos (2018).


Also read:

• MSSA elections: One of the hardest positions on the Board
• In for a second term!
• Angelique is co-opted onto MSSA's Management Board.

MSSA elections: One of the hardest positions on the Board

Four previous eSports Representatives: (from left to right) Johann von Backström (2006 - 2008), Dr Ryan van den Bergh (2009 - 2011), David Webster (2012 - 2013), Ryan Boyes (2014 - 2016)

The eSports Representative is not only a member of the Management Board, but is also the Chairperson of the eSports Board of Control.

Having to run the eSports Board of Control is not  an easy task.

eSports is the fastest growing disciplines in MSSA with the largest number of clubs,and has, without doubt the most vociferous of Registered Players.

Often it means that the person holding the position has to fight long and hard at Management Board level to ensure that the gamer's rights are protected and enforced.

In fact it is through the eSports Representatives that many of the most profound changes have been introduced into MSSA.

All the eSports Representatives have come through a solid gaming background,and in terms of MSSA's  Constitution, have to if they wish to stand for the position.

Duties of the eSports representative are:

• To chair the eSports Board of Control,
• Ensure that the bye laws for the various titles are up-to-date,
• Ensure that rankings are produced,
• Produce a budget prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM),
• Represent the discipline of eSports on the Management Board,
• Liaise with IeSF, and
• Manage the National Team.

Through careful management on the part of the eSports Representative, MSSA has sent Protea Teams to international  events every year since 2005, and has attained the following IeSF ranking:

Year	Venue	Position
2015	Seoul -  South Korea	12th
2014	Baku -  Azerbaijan	13th
2013	Bucharest -  Romania	10th
2012	Cheonan -  South Korea	18th
2011	Andong -  South Korea	13th

Knowing the work that the position entails, it will indeed be interesting to see who stands for the position at the  2016 AGM.