Showing posts with label Springbok. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Springbok. Show all posts

Saturday, 24 January 2026

Who qualifies for MSSA National Team Trials?

Mind Sports South Africa has reached its 40th anniversary and is the oldest national federation for

backgammon, esports, Morabaraba, and wargames in the world.

Eligibility for Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) National Team trials is generally limited to players who meet all of the following criteria, in accordance with MSSA regulations and selection policies:

  1. South African Citizenship or Eligibility

    • The player must be a South African citizen or otherwise eligible to represent South Africa under MSSA and international federation rules.

  2. Current MSSA Membership

    • The player must be a fully paid-up and registered MSSA member in good standing at the time of trials.

  3. Affiliation Through a Recognised Club or Body

    • The player must be affiliated to MSSA through a recognised club, provincial structure, or national body as required by MSSA regulations.

  4. Participation in Recognised Events

    • The player must have participated in MSSA-recognised competitions, leagues, or ranking events relevant to the discipline for which trials are being held.

  5. Performance-Based Qualification

    • Qualification is typically based on:

      • National rankings

      • Results in sanctioned events

      • Selection thresholds determined by the relevant Selection Committee

    • MSSA reserves the right to limit trials to players who meet minimum performance standards.

  6. Compliance With MSSA Codes and Policies

    • The player must comply with:

      • MSSA Code of Conduct

      • Anti-doping and fair-play regulations

      • Transformation, safeguarding, and governance policies where applicable

  7. Availability for International Representation

    • Players must confirm availability for:

      • The full duration of the international event

      • Training camps and preparatory activities

      • Travel and administrative requirements

Important Notes

  • Trials are not automatically open to all members; eligibility is determined per discipline and per event.

  • MSSA may also make direct selections or invite specific players to trials at its discretion.

  • Final authority rests with the relevant Selection Committee and the MSSA Executive.

Additional reading:

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, 16 January 2026

Procedure to be followed by private clubs affiliating for the 2026 season.

The 2025 Female Protea Team for the Mobile League of Legends Bang Bang esports title resplendent in the purple Protea shirts...

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, Phygital games, 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 South 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 as 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:

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 2026

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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa

Should you have any queries whatsoever, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, 17 February 2025

Pristina to Host IESF European Esports Championship 2025


While Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) and other African members eagerly await the details of AEC25, International Esports Federation (IESF) has announced that the European Esports Championship 2025 will be hosted in Pristina in partnership with the Esports Federation of Kosovo, with the support of the Government and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports. This event will bring together over 250 athletes, marking a significant moment for the Esports community in the region and across Europe.

The European Esports Championship will feature top-tier competition in CS2 Open, CS2 Women, and Dota 2, as athletes battle for a chance to represent their nations on the world stage. This event, set to take place in July, promises to be a celebration of Esports excellence, uniting national teams and showcasing the rising talent from across the continent.

“The European Esports Championship is a key moment for Esports in Europe, and we are delighted to bring it to Pristina. The Esports Federation of Kosovo has demonstrated its commitment to the development of competitive gaming, and we are confident that this event will be a fantastic experience for athletes, fans, and the wider Esports community.” - stated Boban Totovski, General Secretary of IESF.

President Altin Preniqi, Esports Federation of Kosovo, also shared his excitement for the event: “Bringing the European Esports Championship to Kosovo is a tremendous milestone for our Esports community. With the support of our government and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports, we are ready to showcase our nation’s passion for Esports and provide a world-class stage for Europe’s best athletes. This event is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of Esports and a chance to inspire the next generation.”

The Esports Federation of Kosovo, as the official event organizer, will oversee the successful execution of this event, ensuring a world-class experience for all participants and fans. With Esports rapidly growing in the region, this championship will further cement its role as a key player in the World of Esports.

Beyond its competition, this event holds deep national pride and importance. It represents an achievement in the region’s Esports journey, demonstrating its capability to host international tournaments. The championship will inspire future generations of gamers while promoting community engagement, economic opportunities, and worldwide recognition.

The IESF European Esports Championship 2025 will not only be a crucial step towards the 2025 Season but will also serve as a milestone in Esports development across Europe.

About the International Esports Federation

IESF is the uniting body for World Esports. Founded in 2008 by nine member nations, IESF is currently composed of 146 Member Federations across six continents. IESF brings together all esports stakeholders to achieve a united ecosystem for the development of sustainable and responsible gaming worldwide. The IESF WE Championships is the biggest multi-sport spectacle of esports in the world. IESF also organizes the annual World Esports Summit to support the highest standard of esports governance worldwide.

 

Website: iesf.org

Twitter: @iesf_official

Instagram: @iesf_official

Facebook:  IESF

LinkedIn: IESF

Media Contact - Ana Karakolevska / ana@iesf.org / (389) 78 733 737


Additional reading:


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

MSSA CONFIRMS ITS ENTRY TO WEC25


Mind Sports South Africa's President, Colin Webster, today confirmed that MSSA has entered International Esports Federation's (IESF) 17th World Championships which is to be known as WEC25.

MSSA has been a staunch, and loyal member, of IESF since 2009, and has participated in every single IESF World Championship since 2009. 

MSSA has always advocated greater inclusion of events for females at such World Championships. With Colin Webster having served on IESF's Board from 2013 to 2020, the number of events specifically for females has grown in number. It was in 2018 that South Africa fielded the first all female Counter-Strike team at IESF's 10th World Championships - an act which many see as a forerunner of IESF implementing an all female Counter-Strike event at its 14th World Championships.

It is therefore not surprising that MSSA has thus entered all IESF esports titles on offer at IESF's 17th World Championships - especially the female events.
Jessica Greef, captain of MSSA's 
2024 female Protea Counter
Strike 2 Esports Team.

The esports titles entered by MSSA are:

  • Counter-Strike 2 (open)
  • Counter-Strike 2 (female)
  • DOTA 2 (open) 
  • eFootball (Open) 
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open)
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (female)
  • PUBG mobile (open)

Colin Webster stated, "This is the largest entry that South Africa has ever made, and MSSA is confident that the 2025 Protea Team will be the strongest team ever to represent South Africa as the Protea Team'.

Colin then added, "The teams that attended both AEC24 and WEC24 have left solid foundations on which to build. MSSA is thus excited to see the performance of the teams that will be selected in March 2025 to represent South Africa".

Additional reading:

Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

MSSA CONFIRMS ITS ENTRY TO WEC 24

 

Colin Webster announced today that MSSA has entered its largest team Protea Team ever.

Mind Sports South Africa's President, Colin Webster, today confirmed that MSSA has entered
International Esports Federation's (IESF) 16th World Championships.

MSSA has been a staunch, and loyal member, of IESF since 2009, and has participated in every single IESF World Championship since 2009. 

MSSA has always advocated greater inclusion of events for females at such World Championships. Withe Colin Webster having served on IOESF's Board from 2013 to 2020, the number of events specifically for females has grown in number. It was in 2018 that South Africa fielded the first all female Counter-Strike team at IESF's 10th World Championships - an act which many see as a forerunner of IESF implementing an all female Counter-Strike event at its 14th World Championships.

It is therefore not surprising that MSSA has thus entered all IESF esports titles on offer at IESF's 16th World Championships - especially the female events.

The esports titles entered by MSSA are:

  • Counter-Strike 2 (open)
  • Counter-Strike 2 (female)
  • DOTA 2 (open) 
  • eFootball (Open) 
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open)
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (female)
  • PUBG mobile (open)

Colin Webster stated, "This is the largest entry that South Africa has ever made, and MSSA is confident that the 2024 Protea Team will be the strongest team ever to represent South Africa as the Protea Team'.

Additional reading:

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Old Ed's streaks to to take pole position in DotA 2 ladder.

Donald Mullany (Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club) captains Old Ed's DotA 2 team.
The Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club (OEMSC) is Mind Sports South Africa's oldest member club which is renown for its strength in the wargames discipline.

Nevertheless, some of the skills aquired in such discipline seem to be transferable, and OEMSC was able to successfully challenge Sinister5 for pole position in the DotA 2 ladder.

The club, since 1991, has produced 22 players who have received senior Springbok and/or Protea Colours and 10 players who have received junior Protea Colours.

The club too holds the distinction of hosting MSSA's first esports provincial championships, being the 1998 Gauteng Provincial Championships.

The team fielded by the Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club for the Ladder match, consisted of 5 veterans of which 3 players have been awarded Protea Colours in the past (Donald Mullany, Colin Webster, and David Webster), one player has Gauteng Provincial Colours (Terence Allwright) and only 'youngster' Des Schoeman has yet to earn provincial or national colours.

It just goes to show that the 'Old Guard' is still able to fight their way to the top.

The full ladder for the DotA 2 esports is as follows:

MSSA's National DotA 2 Ladder
DotA 2 – Senior
PosName of PlayeryearClub
1King Edward's Guards18Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club
2Sinister5 (17)18Sinister5
3Northwood DOTA17Northwood High School
4Sp4rt4ns17SAHETI
5Maritzburg College16Maritzburg College
6PotM Bottom17PotM Bottom
7TribalGaming16Fairmont High School
8Parklands16Parklands College
9KWAKKIE DOTES16Tuks Mind Sports Club
10We Took a Tower!16Wits Wargames Club
11WYSIWYG18Jeppe Boys High School
12Broken alliance16Fairmont High School
13PR0NHS17Northcliff High School
14Mr Project16Oakhill College
15Immortal Forces18Hudson Park
16WBHS/DOTA18Westville Boys
17MC DOTA17Maritzburg College
18Grey High Gaming18Grey Highschool
19Kappa Knights16Fairmont High School
20Titans17VexxedPhoenix
21APTWE16Tuks Mind Sports Club
22Team Craig16Northcliff High School
23Flaming Bunnies16Fairmont High School
24[PRIDE]17Parktown Boys' High School
25PORAXYSM16All Stars
26Quantum17Curro Klerksdorp
27HELION17Uplands College

Other National ladders are:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)