9th Online School Championships.

Bishops' Dota 2 team - the 2018 Online Provincial Champions.

MSSA is proud to announce that it will once again hold its 9th School Provincial Online Championships on 9 February 2019.

The championship may be used by gamers to qualify for eligibility to be selected for the National Squads, from which the National Teams shall be drawn, should MSSA need to choose a team for any of the titles played in such championships.

MSSA's School Online Championships has become South Africa's largest official online championship. It is an event that lasts from 10H00 until 18H00 and has proved itself to be a most enjoyable event.

The titles to be played at such event are:

High School
#	Title	Platform	Players
1	CS GO	PC,	5 v 5
2	Fortnite – Battle Royal	PC/console	4 v 4
3	Paladins	PC	5 v 5
4	FIFA ‘19	Console - PS4	1 v 1
5	PES 2019	Mobile	1 v 1
6	Dota 2	PC	5 v 5
7	League of Legends	PC	5 v 5
8	Clash Royale	Mobile	1 v 1
9	VainGlory	Tablet/cell	3 v 3
10	Street Fighter V	Console	1 v 1

MSSA would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the dedicated Educators for ensuring that the school teams are ready-and-able and for giving up so much of their time and patience. Only once the learners have left school will they really comprehend what the Educators have done for them.

The championship would not be possible without the continued support from Educators.

Thank you!

Tournament Structure:

As per the MSSA's rules, being:

• If less than six players, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
• If 6 to 10 players the championship shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
• If 11 to 30 players the championship shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

• Any player/team who is a Registered Player affiliated to a school affiliated to MSSA may enter through such school club.

Entry fee:

• Entry is R34.00 per Registered Player.
• Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.

Entry date:

• Entries need to be submitted by no later than Monday, 4 February 2019.

Registration:

• To register, the Educator-in-charge must complete the Google Drive document.

Age restrictions:

Educators must ensure that their teams/players are compliant with South Africa's age restrictions per game title.

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women in the following categories:

• MEN: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).
• WOMEN: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).

Please note that the medals shall be awarded to the players at the next LAN championship in which such team/player enters and participates.

Colours:

• School Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn School Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a any two (or more) Provincial Championships, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn School Provincial Colours.

When and Where:

• 9 February 2019
• The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 
• Players must all be on-line at 9H00.

The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:

• The awarding of school provincial colours;
• The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for both men and women;
• The ability to qualify for National Team Trials. 

As usual Trials shall be done at a LAN venue, and the team that can best represent South Africa shall then be selected.

Shout casting:

• The MSSA shall decide who may shout-cast the games.
• Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com 

Also read:

• Why schools and universities should invest in esports.
• Esports titles for official High School Championships.
• How does a school join up for MSSA's 9th Online Inter-School Provincial Championships?
• New National Team Selection Criteria

Vainglory - Learners who have qualified for National Team Trials.

Northcliff High's gamers receiving school awards.

Vainglory has pushed the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to mobile games, and has created the world of esports. 

Vainglory is ae esport title developed and published by Super Evil Megacorp for iOS and Android devices. 

Vainglory is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game which has a little bit of similarities to the popular MOBAs League of Legends and Dota 2 but is instead designed for smartphones and tablets. As standard for the genre, two opposing teams fight to reach and destroy the enemy's base while defending their own base along lanes which connect the bases. In addition, there is a "jungle" beetween the lanes, which contains creatures and objectives that can be killed or captured.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) first introduced the title in 2017, and while particiation in such title was disappointing in 2017, participation has grown. Participation in MSSA's 8th Online Inter-School Championships held on 10 February 2018 actually exceeded the numbers of participation at all of the events held in 2017.

In 2017, the team from Northcliff won every event in which they played, and with the increased number of participants in 2018, many an official wondered if they would hold onto their lead.

They did!

Northcliff High School romped home to victory in MSSA's 8th Online Inter-School Championships to earn their berth in MSSA's 2018 National Team Trials.

MSSA's 8th Online Inter-School Championships allowed two other teams to also qualify for MSSA's National Team Trials (NTT).

Unfortunately Vainglory is not played out of school level, and will not be played at MSSA's 36th Gauteng Championships, but will be played at all school championships and leagues.

The criteria to qualify for such trials all Registered Players that win a Regional Championship shall earn an invitation to National Team Trials.

Also, all Registered Players that score within the top 20% or top three places, whichever is greater, in a specific Period at a Provincial or National Championship shall earn an invitation to National Team Trials.

It should be remembered that members of the current Protea Squad automatically earn a berth at the National Team Trials (NTT) should they have met their obligations in terms of participation at MSSA events.

The learners that earned such an invite for the Vainglory esports title are:

Name of player	School	Period	Province
Luke Probert	Northcliff High School	VainGlory	Gauteng
Jordan Macdonald	Northcliff High School	VainGlory	Gauteng
Sean Mehlo	Northcliff High School	VainGlory	Gauteng
Loje van Schalkwyk	Hoërskool Wonderboom	VainGlory	Gauteng
Armand van Zyl	Hoërskool Wonderboom	VainGlory	Gauteng
Ryan Straus	Hoërskool Wonderboom	VainGlory	Gauteng
Wallis Anika	Empangeni High School	VainGlory	KwaZulu Natal
Chibisa Takudzi	Empangeni High School	VainGlory	KwaZulu Natal
Yousoof Muhammed	Empangeni High School	VainGlory	KwaZulu Natal

Other Registered Players that have earned a berth at MSSA's 2018 National Team Trials (NTT) are:

• CounterStrike: GO - 8th Online Inter-School Championships
• DotA 2 - 8th Online Inter-School Championships
• League of Legends - 8th Online Inter-School Championships
• Vainglory - 8th Online Inter-School Championships
• Tekken - 8th Online Inter-School Championships

Bumper entries expected for MSSA's 2017 North West Provincial Championships

Registrations are open for MSSA's 2017 North West Provincial Championships to be hosted by Curro Klerksdorp.

MSSA's 2017 North West Provincial Championships is part of the process of selecting the 2017 Protea teams that will attend the various World Championships.

With a number of new clubs having been accepted into membership over the past couple of months, MSSA officials are bracing themselves for a bumper entry. Top female wargamer, Elishia Retief has already expressed her intention to enter, while it is strongly believed that the newest affiliate Sinister5 will be there to qualify for the upcoming National Team Trials.

All gamers are reminded that MSSA's 2017 North West Provincial Championships are an open championship. In other words any registered player is entitled to enter the championship – no matter where they live, or their category of membership. 

You may contact MSSA at mindsportssa@gmail.com

Details are as follows:

• Board gaming:http://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.za/2017/03/mssas-21st-north-west-board-gaming.html 
• eSports: http://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.za/2017/02/21st-north-west-championships-25-26.html
• Wargaming: http://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.za/2017/03/21st-mssa-north-west-wargaming.html

Member clubs may enter their teams/players on their Google Drive page.

The 2017 Calendar of Events may be viewed here.

The schedule for the championship remains:

Saturday – 25 March 2017
Discipline	Period	Start time
Board games	Checkers	10H00
	Morabaraba	10H00
eSports	StarCraft II	9H00
	PES (Pro Evolution Soccer)	9H00
	League of Legends (LoL)	9H00
	Hearthstone	9H00
	Ultimate Street Fighter V	9H00
	Counter Strike GO	9H00
	TEKKEN TTII	14H00
Wargames	Ancients	9H00
Sunday – 26 March 2017
eSports	DotA 2	9H00
	VainGlory	9H00
	FIFA '17	9H00
	Mortal Kombat X	9H00

Northcliff dominates VainGlory.

Northcliff's team: Jordan MacDonald, Corbin Smout, and Luke Probert

MSSA's Online School Provincial Championships played on 11 February 2017 saw the title VainGlory be officially played for the first time ever in South Africa.

Few South Africans even know of the game, but the game is fast paced and already is growing a strong support base.

MSSA was more than happy with the number of teams that entered the championship with Curro Klerksdorp entering three such teams.

However, it was Northcliff High School that dominated the event from start to finish, and ended up in first place.

Northcliff has a long tradition of creating players who have represented South Africa  in the Protea eSports Team such as Robert 'PandaTank' Botha (2011 to 2013) and Ian Pillay (2011).

The team too qualifies for their School Provincial Colours.

It will be interesting to see if the team can also win MSSA's 2017 Gauteng Provincial Championships to  be played at Jeppe High School for Boys on 25 & 26 February 2017.

MSSA's Online School Provincial Championships - 11 February 2017

Learners in action.

MSSA is proud to announce that it will once again hold its Annual School Provincial On-line Championships on 11 February 2017.

Since the last notification, the Management Board noticed an egregious oversight in that HearthStone had not been included. The Board swung into action, and by following proper procedure have now included HearthStone into all school events.

The championship may be used by gamers to qualify for eligibility to compete in the National Team Trials should the MSSA need to choose a team for any of the titles played in such championships.

The MSSA School online Championships has become South Africa's largest official online championship. It is an event that lasts from 10H00 until 18H00 and is most enjoyable.

The titles to be played at such event are:

Period/genre	Title	Platform	Players
AOS	Dota 2	PC	5 v 5
	League of Legends	PC	5 v 5
	VainGlory	Tablet/cell	3 v 3
Card	HearthStone	Multi	1 v 1
Fighting	Tekken Tag Tournament 2	Console	1 v 1
FPS	CS GO	PC,	5 v 5
RTS	StarCraft II	PC	1 v 1
Sport	FIFA '17	Console	1 v 1

The MSSA would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the dedicated Educators for ensuring that the school teams are ready-and-able and for giving up so much of their time and patience. Only once the learners have left school will they really comprehend what the Educators have done for them.

The championship would not be possible without the continued support from Educators.

Thank you!

Tournament Structure:

As per the MSSA's rules, being:

• If less than six players, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
• If 6 to 10 players the championship shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
• If 11 to 30 players the championship shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

• Any player/team who is a Registered Player affiliated to a school club affiliated to MSSA may enter.

Entry fee:

• Entry is free to all full-paid-up Registered Players.
• Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.

Entry date:

• Entries need to be submitted by no later than Wednesday, 8 February 2017.

Registration:

• To register, the Educator-in-charge must complete the Google Drive document.

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women in the following categories:

• MEN: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).
• WOMEN: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).

Colours:

• School Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn School Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a any two (or more) Provincial Championships, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn School Provincial Colours.

When and Where:

• 11 February 2017
• The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 
• Players must all be on-line at 9H00.

The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:

• The awarding of school provincial colours;
• The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for both men and women;
• The ability to qualify for National Team Trials. 

As usual Trials shall be done at a LAN venue, and the team that can best represent South Africa shall then be selected.

Shout casting:

• The MSSA shall decide who may shout-cast the games.
• Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to mindsportssa@iafrica.com

MSSA's Online School Provincial Championships - 11 February 2017

Learners in action.

MSSA is proud to announce that it will once again hold its Annual School Provincial On-line Championships on 11 February 2017.

The championship may be used by gamers to qualify for eligibility to compete in the National Team Trials should the MSSA need to choose a team for any of the titles played in such championships.

The MSSA School online Championships has become South Africa's largest official online championship. It is an event that lasts from 10H00 until 18H00 and is most enjoyable.

The titles to be played at such event are:

Period/genre	Title	Platform	Players
FPS	CS GO	PC,	5 v 5
Sport	FIFA '17	Console	1 v 1
RTS	StarCraft II	PC	1 v 1
AOS	Dota 2	PC	5 v 5
	League of Legends	PC	5 v 5
	VainGlory	Tablet/cell	3 v 3
Fighting	Tekken Tag Tournament 2	Console	1 v 1

The MSSA would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the dedicated Educators for ensuring that the school teams are ready-and-able and for giving up so much of their time and patience. Only once the learners have left school will they really comprehend what the Educators have done for them.

The championship would not be possible without the continued support from Educators.

Thank you!

Tournament Structure:

As per the MSSA's rules, being:

• If less than six players, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
• If 6 to 10 players the championship shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
• If 11 to 30 players the championship shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

• Any player/team who is a Registered Player affiliated to a school club affiliated to MSSA may enter.

Entry fee:

• Entry is free to all full-paid-up Registered Players.
• Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.

Entry date:

• Entries need to be submitted by no later than Wednesday, 8 February 2017.

Registration:

• To register, the Educator-in-charge must complete the Google Drive document.

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women in the following categories:

• MEN: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).
• WOMEN: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).

Colours:

• School Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn School Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a any two (or more) Provincial Championships, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn School Provincial Colours.

When and Where:

• 11 February 2017
• The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 
• Players must all be on-line at 9H00.

The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:

• The awarding of school provincial colours;
• The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for both men  and women;
• The ability to qualify for National Team Trials. 

As usual Trials shall be done at a LAN venue, and the team that can best represent South Africa shall then be selected.

Shout casting:

• The MSSA shall decide who may shout-cast the games.
• Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to mindsportssa@iafrica.com