On a clear Monday afternoon in September 2010, Michelle Marder of Bedfordview smashed the record books as she boldly broke into yet another “bastion “of male “privilege.
Esports (or better known as computer gaming) had long been considered to be a male preserve. All the top gamers are predominately male and women are few in number in this sport.
Even though esports are growing in leaps and bounds , with membership growing monthly, and sales of esports paraphernalia outstripping the combined sales of all other traditional sports, women still are under represented in all levels of the sport.
The MSSA has taken the call of ensuring that all are given equal opportunity, but it is thanks to the exceptional that real change can be effected in a real and sustainable manner.
Michelle is one such exceptional person, Michelle's dedication to esports ensured that the game of GUITAR HERO™ was played at every single MSSA provincial and national LAN championship in 2010. Such dedication ensured that the sponsor (SAMSUNG) received ample nationwide coverage and enabled gamers from around the country to participate.
Thus in gratitude to Michelle's sterling efforts, MSSA rewarded Michelle by granting her the title of Team Manager of the team that represented South Africa at the 2010 World Cyber Games that was held in Los Angeles, USA from 29 September 2010 to 3 October 2010.
Michelle is thus the first female to rise to the position of being a National Team Manager for a Protea Esports Team, if not the first female in the world to become a National Team Manager for an Esports team, which allowed others to build on her success.
There is no doubt, that under Michelle's care, that the South African team will perform well.
Also read:
- MSSA elections allow change and growth.
- MSSA remains a dynamic institution.
- Preventing dominance by any one club.
- Advantages of affiliation
- Calendar of Events: 2021
- Events: 11th Online School Championships - 13 February 2021.
- Events: Western Cape Online Provincial Championships - 27 February 2021
- Affiliation: Schools
- Affiliation: Private clubs
- Esports titles selected: MSSA's High School Championships.
- Esports titles selected: MSSA's Student Championships
- Esports titles selected: MSSA's Premier Championships.
- Notices: MSSA's new Players' Representative - Jessie Joubert (ZAG Academy
- Notices: Lenel Human makes history.
- Notices: Sahil Ebrahim of PES Society elected as MSSA's Western Cape Provincial Director.
- Notices: Derby events
- Notices: Derby events -the way forward.
- Notices: Publishing your club news.
- Notices: Transfer season
- Notices: Learners may play for both private and school clubs.
- Notices: Calling all those wishing to serve as Selectors to volunteer
- Notices: The various events held by Mind Sports South Africa.
- Test Match results: South African Protea DotA 2 team rises triumphant.
- Test Match results: DOTA2: South Africa vs Azerbaijan
- Trailblazers: Trailblazers: Michelle Marder
- New National Team Selection Criteria
- Selecting the national Protea teams for Mind Sports South Africa.
