Registration for MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course - 18 March 2023.

Armand van der Colf, 2022 Protea Esports Team - CSGO, has completed the Umpire's Course. 

For all those Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) member clubs that wish to send delegates to MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course to be held on 18 March 2023, such clubs need to download the Registration Form, complete such, and submit the completed form to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

The registration form may be found at:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zgo7UoLjiErQBWNHcwHKn8oKvhBsBBJgSuLjC1hDRbY/edit#gid=0

Details of MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course are as follows:

Date: 18 March 2023
Time: 10H00 - 17H00
Cost: R330.00 per person
Venue: Online
Date by which registration must be submitted: 17 March 2023.

The course shall include:

• Ethics
• Background to MSSA's systems
• Roles of the different umpires
• Dealing with queries
• Entry
• Pairings
• Data capturing of results
• How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as level 1 umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

Additional reading:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• Events: 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• Event: 2023 Gauteng Online Championships to be held on 11 March 2023.
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh2023
• IESF: IESF has announced the slots for 15th World Championships to be held  in Lasi, Romania.
• IESF: Titles entered
• IESF: National Team Trials - 25 March 2023
• Phygital Gaming: Kazan to host Phygital Games
• Results: 2023 Northern Cape Online Championships
• Results: 2023 Western Cape Online Championships held on 25 February 2023.
• Results: 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• Results: 2023 Gauteng Online Championships held on 11 March 2023.
• Selection: Calling all female esports athletes.
• Selection: Passports are required.
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships
• Umpire Course - 18 February 2023
• Umpires course - 18 March 2023

Umpire Course - 18 February 2023

Those that make the grade.

One of the most important aspects of a well run championship is the consistency and standard of umpiring.

Umpiring affects every aspect of a championship, and since Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is highly cognisant of such, MSSA shall continue to hold a number of umpires' courses during 2023.

Players who have reached 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)  in order to be considered for selection.

Such umpiring courses shall ensure that umpires are certified and are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.

The course shall be done as follows:

Date: 18 February 2023

• Ethics
• Background to MSSA's systems
• Roles of the different umpires
• Entry
• Pairings
• Data capturing of results
• How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as level 1 umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

For additional information, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

Additional reading:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• Events: Northern Cape Online Championships 28 January 2023
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh
• IESF: Titles entered
• Phygital Gaming: Kazan to host Phygital Games
• Selection: Calling all female esports athletes.
• Selection: Passports are required.
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships
• Umpire Course - 18 February 2023
• 
  

Call for candidates for IESF's Referee Course.

Johan van Breda (ZAG Academy) in action at MSSA's National Championships.

International Esports Federation (IESF) has a vision to standardise esports and its ecosystem in which it finds itself. As such IESF established an ‘International Referee system’. Supported by 

Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (BIPA), IESF has achieved great  strides in this arena and has been able to, as a result, add value to esports championships world-wide.

In 2016 Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) candidate (Thomas Brown)  participated in the first international referee workshop in Yinchuan on 12 May 2016. Thomas went on to be the first South African to referee a major esports event in Beijing in the Olympic Tennis Stadium.

Thus International Esports Federation (IESF) have requested its member federations to submit candidates for its 2020 Referee Training Course to be held from 24 to 28 February 2020 in Busan, Korea.

The curriculum has been developed by IESF together with game publishers in an effort to ensure that it meets the highest standards. 

Candidates for IESF’s International Esports Referee program are nominated by member federations until Wednesday, February 12^th (KST).  Successful candidates will be announced on Friday, February 14^th (KST) by IESF.

Thus all Registered Players who are currently qualified as MSSA umpires who are willing to be considered for selection must provide the following to the Board by 10 February 2020:

1. Number of national championships refereed by the candidate, and
2. Proficiency in English

For more information, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

Also read:

• Ensuring gender equity in esports.
• MSSA celebrates its women who have earned Protea Colours.
• Why schools and universities should invest in esports.
• Entry fees for Provincial and National Championships
• How school clubs affiliate for the 2020 season.
• 2020 Calendar of Events
• The various events held by Mind Sports South Africa.
• Why schools and universities should invest in esports
• New National Team Selection Criteria
• Selecting the national Protea teams for Mind Sports South Africa.
• The road to Eilat
• MSSA to nominate candidates for IESF's International Referee Workshop.

Good turnout at Gauteng level 1 umpire's course.

All the successful participants of MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course.

There is no doubt that in order for the standard of gaming to improve, all the support services attached to the industry need to also be improved upon.

Thus Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), pays particular atttention to the standard of umpiring, and has done so since its inception in 1985.

MSSA's umpires, as as MSSA President Amanda Kwaza, claims, MSSA's front line, for it is the umpires that deal face-to-face with the competitive athletes at a competition, and often have to deal with the press and team management.

Much falls on the broad shoulders of the umpires, making there herculean efforts of great importance and making the umpires a vital cog in the growth of MSSA's activities.

Not only did the Gauteng Level 1 course see an increase in the total numbers attend, but it also saw the number of clubs, and the number of women increase. There were even participants from Botswana and Zimbabwe.

MSSA's umpire's courses are the oldest established such courses among all of IESF's member national federations, and MSSA has had a system in place for accrediting umpires since 1988.

With the increase of participation, it is clear that MSSA is continuing with solid sustainable growth, and will be ablee to deliver more-and-more to its member clubs, Registered Players, and the entire gaming community.

Also read:

• Why schools and universities should invest in esports.
• Entry fees for Provincial and National Championships
• How school clubs affiliate for the 2020 season.

• 2020 Calendar of Events
• The various events held by Mind Sports South Africa.
• Why schools and universities should invest in esports.
• New National Team Selection Criteria
• Selecting the national Protea teams for Mind Sports South Africa.
• MSSA's umpiring course - 25 January 2020.
• 28th OLD EDWARDIAN SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS - 1 & 2 February 2020
• The road to Eilat

Registration for MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course - 25 January 2020.

Previous participants at MSSA's Gauteng Umpire's Course.

For all those Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) member clubs that wish to send delegates to MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course to be held on 25 January 2020, such clubs need to download the Registration Form, complete such, and submit the completed form to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

The registration form may be found at:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zgo7UoLjiErQBWNHcwHKn8oKvhBsBBJgSuLjC1hDRbY/edit#gid=0

Details of MSSA's Gauteng level 1 umpire's course are as follows:

Date: 25 January 2020
Time: 9H00 - 18H00
Cost: R331.00 per person
Venue: Old Edwardian Society, 9 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg
Date by which registration must be submitted: 20 January 2020

The cost will include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch.

The course shall include:

• Ethics
• Background to MSSA's systems
• Roles of the different umpires
• Entry
• Pairings
• Data capturing of results
• How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as level 1 umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

Also read:

• 2020 Calendar of Events

• The various events held by Mind Sports South Africa.
• Why schools and universities should invest in esports.
• New National Team Selection Criteria
• MSSA's umpiring course - 25 January 2020.
• The road to Eilat

MSSA's umpiring course - 25 January 2020.

One of the most important aspects of a well run championship is the consistency and standard of umpiring.

Umpiring affects every aspect of a championship, and since Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is highly cognisant of such, MSSA shall continue to hold a number of umpires' courses during 2020.

Players who have reached 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)  in order to be considered for selection.

Such umpiring courses around the country shall ensure that umpires are certified and are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.

The first such course shall be done as follows:

Date: 25 January 2020
Time: 9H00 - 18H00
Cost: R331.00 per person
Venue: Old Edwardian Society, 9 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg

The cost will include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch.

The course shall include:

• Ethics
• Background to MSSA's systems
• Roles of the different umpires
• Entry
• Pairings
• Data capturing of results
• How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as level 1 umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

For additional information, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

Also read:

• 2020 Calendar of Events
• New National Team Selection Criteria

Umpiring courses.

One of the most important aspects of a well run championship is the consistency and standard of umpiring.

Umpiring affects every aspect of a championship, and since Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is highly cognisant of such, MSSA shall be holding a number of umpires' courses during 2018.

Such umpiring courses around the country shall ensure that umpires are certified and are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.

The next two courses shall be done as follows:

	FREE STATE	MPUMALANGA
Date	7 April 2018	12 May 2018
Time	08h00 - 16h00	08h00 - 16h00
Venue	JCS Private Centre, 2 Tafelberg Crescent, Vaalpark	HTS Witbank, Beyers Street, Die Heuwel, Emalahleni
Fee	R300 per registered member (catering included)	R300 per registered member (catering included)
Entry date	2 April 2018	7 May 2018

The course shall include:

* Ethics
* Background to MSSA's systems
* Roles of the different umpires
* Entry
* Basic rules to the games
* Pairings
* Data capturing of results
* How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

Gauteng's Umpiring Course.

Participants at MSSA's 2018 Gauteng Level 1 Umpires' Course.

On 20 January 2018, MSSA held its Gauteng Level 1 Umpires' Course at the Old Edwardian Society in Lower Houghton.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) shall be holding such courses throughout South Africa during the course of the year in order to enable as many people as possible, who are willing to become accredited umpires, to do do so.

The next such course shall be held in the North West Province. As soon as  the date and venue has been set, all member clubs shall be advised.

Those that received their Level 1 certification at the Umpires' Course that was held in the Gauteng Province are as follows:

Name	Club
Johan Van Breda	ZAGA
Jessie Joubert	ZAGA
Marisa van der Westhuizen	ZAGA
Bernice Botha	ZAGA
Garth Schoeman	Knights Mind Sports Club
Terence James Allwright	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
Cobus van der Wath	Fakkel School
Henry Colin	Fakkel School

MSSA's umpiring course - 20 January 2017.

One of the most important aspects of a well run championship is the consistency and standard of umpiring.

Umpiring affects every aspect of a championship, and since Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is highly cognisant of such, MSSA shall be holding a number of umpires' courses during 2018.

Such umpiring courses around the country shall ensure that umpires are certified and are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.

The first such course shall be done as follows:

Date: 20 January 2018
Time: 9H00 - 18H00
Cost: R300.00 per person
Venue: Old Edwardian Society, 9 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg

The cost will include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch.

The course shall include:

* Ethics
* Background to MSSA's systems
* Roles of the different umpires
* Entry
* Basic rules to the games
* Pairings
* Data capturing of results
* How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

Fur additional information, please contact mindsportssa@iafrica.com

MSSA's 2018 Calendar of Events.

Simone Beck who umpired at MSSA's S A National Championships in December 2017.

First event up for the 2018 year is MSSA's Umpires' Course to be held on 20 January 2018. The course is open to any Registered Player of an affiliated club. Participants who  successfully finish the course will then be accredited umpires and will be able to umpire at MSSA events.

The second event, also in January 2018, is MSSA's Fezile Dabi Regional Championships whichh will allow players to qualify for Regional Colours and for National Team Trials.

The full 2018 Calendar of events is:

2018 Calendar of events

Date	Event	Discipline	Venue
20 JANUARY	Umpires’ Course	All	Old Edwardian Society, 11 Ninth Ave., Lower Houghton
27 JANUARY	Fezile Dabi Regional Championships	MortalKombat XL, Tekken 7, Injustice 2, Street Fighter V	JCS Academy 17 Witteberg Street, Vaalpark, Sasolburg
3 & 4 FEBRUARY	26th Old Edwardian Summer Championships	Ancients, Checkers, FIFA ‘18, Morabaraba	Old Edwardian Society, 11 Ninth Ave., Lower Houghton
10 FEBRUARY	On-line Inter-school Provincial Championships	CS:GO, DotA 2, FIFA, LOL, SC, Tekken 7, VainGlory	On-line
24 & 25 FEBRUARY	36th GAUTENG Championships	Board games, Card games, eSports, wargames
24 & 25 MARCH	23rd NORTH WEST Championships	Board games, Card games, eSports, wargames
21 APRIL	Provincial Online Championships	Dota 2, CounterStrike GO, League of Legends, Street Fighter V	On-line
28 & 29 APRIL	Free State Provincial School Championships	Board and Figure games
28 & 29 APRIL	Gauteng Provincial School Championships	Board and Figure games
28 & 29 APRIL	Provincial School Championships for Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumulanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape	Board and Figure games
5 & 6 MAY	National Team Trials	Morabaraba and Wargames
26 & 27 MAY	17th MPUMALANGA Championships	Board games, Card games, eSports, wargames
26 MAY	FINANCIAL AGM	Meeting
2 & 3 JUNE	eSports National Team Trials	TBD
23 & 24 JUNE	15th FREE STATE Championships	All	Fakkel School, 20 Jan Smuts Ave., Sasolburg
7 JULY	Fezile Dabi Regional Championships	To be determined
21 & 22 July	Capricorn Regional Championships	To be determined	THS Tom Naudé
Week ending 27 JULY	1st round of School League for 4 term schools.	CounterStrike: GO, DotA 2, FIFA Online, League of Legends, StarCraft II, Tekken 7, VainGlory	Online
28 & 29 JULY	SA School Championships	Board, Figure and eSports
4 & 5 AUGUST	24th KWAZULU NATAL Championships	All
11 AUGUST	StarCraft II, Hearthstone	eSports (PC)	On-line
25 & 26 AUGUST	22nd WESTERN CAPE Championships	All
TBA	Indigenous Games	Morabaraba	To be determined by SRSA
1 SEPTEMBER	Sedibeng Regional Championships	To be determined
Week ending 7 SEPTEMBER	1st round of School League for 3 term schools.	CounterStrike: GO, DotA 2, FIFA Online, League of Legends, StarCraft II, Tekken 7, VainGlory	Online
8 & 9 SEPTEMBER	City of Johannesburg Championships	Sat. Morabaraba & StarCraft II Sun. Ancients & FIFA ‘18	Old Edwardian Society, 11 Ninth Ave., Lower Houghton
22 & 23 SEPTEMBER	16th EASTERN CAPE Championships	All
29 & 30 SEPTEMBER	7th LIMPOPO Championships	All	TBA
1 NOVEMBER	Submit nominations of office-bearers	Admin	mindsportssa@iafrica.com
1 & 2 DECEMBER	32nd S A NATIONAL Championships	All	Fakkel School, 20 Jan Smuts Ave., Sasolburg
1 DECEMBER	35th NATIONAL CONVENTION	Annual General Meeting	Fakkel School, 20 Jan Smuts Ave., Sasolburg
TBA	SRSA's S A Schools Championships	Morabaraba	To be determined by SRSA

Notes:

1. International events still need to be included.
2. Inter-Provincial events need to be included
3. Inter-Regional events need to be included
4. Club events need to be included
5. Regional Championships need to be included.
6. Free State is moved to earlier in the year.
7. National Team Trials still need to be included