Coaching course shall be implemented by MSSA.

Johan van Breda (MSSA Vice-President) is the Board member in charge of producing the coaching regulations.

Much has been written on this blog about coaches and their importance to the growth of mind sports.

It is true, that in any sport, all coaches fall under a regulatory body in order to control quality of coaching. Thus, all National Federations in South Afirca have to regulate and administer coaches under their code to ensure that only the best can become coaches.

Becoming a coach, also requires adherence to several laws concerning the protection and welfare of children, so, not just anybody can set themselves up as a coach.

As such, Mind Sports South Africa is setting up its own coaching courses that will fall in line with the Regulations that have been passed.

All Registered Players that wish to have input into the coaching courses and/or requirets, should please contact mindsportscorrespondence as soon as possible.

MSSA's Regulations concerning coaches are as follows:

10.13 COACHES

10.13.1 An Executive Officer shall have the portfolio of ensuring the effective management of the Coaches Committee as an additional duty. Should a Coaches Committee not be elected, for whatever reason, such Executive Officer shall be deemed to be the Coaches Committee.

a. The Executive Officer charged with the Coaches portfolio shall chair the Coaches Committee

b. Rules pertaining to Standing Committees (Schedule 4 of the General Regulations) shall apply where otherwise not specified within Schedule 10.13.

c. Duties of the Coaches Committee are as follows:

i. To produce a list of all accredited Coaches.

ii. To ensure that all Coaches are properly trained and certified.

iii. To maintain records of all certified Coaches.

iv. To ensure that the byelaws apropos Coaches are enforced.

v. To liaise with international federations to which MSSA is affiliated apropos all Coaches matters.

vi. To send certified Coaches amendments to guidelines for Coaches.

d. Certification of Umpires

To be an accredited Coach, coaches must be certified in the following categories within 8 months of the courses becoming available::

i. Level I

ii. Level II

iii. Level III

e. Only Registered Players shall be allowed to complete the official certification course.

f. No Registered Player may coach without being accredited.

g. Certification lasts for three years after which the player must complete a refresher course.

h. Kit used by MSSA Coaches

i. Coaches shall wear the following:

I. Regional Team Coach - White polo shirt with the Badge being the double headed knight with the circle surround in red.

II. Provincial Team Coach - White polo shirt with the Badge being the double headed knight with the circle surround in black.

III. National Team Coach - White polo shirt with the Badge being the double headed knight with the circle surround in green.

1. Penalties 

a. Any player who coaches for payment without being properly accredited shall not be allowed to attend any MSSA events for a full calendar year.

b. A school that employs an unaccredited coach, or that allows an unaccredited coach train/coach at school level for payment without being properly accredited shall be liable for a fine of R2,000.00 and shall not be allowed to attend any MSSA events for a full calendar year.

Also read: 

• Coaches essential to the growth of eSports
• Conduct of elected officials.
• Effective coaching is the answer.
• Factors influencing women participating in sport
• Quotas out - transformation is in!
• Creating an esports textbook.
• IESF launches Global Esports R&D Centre for Further Esports Development

There are still a few places open for the Umpire's course to be held at Curro Durbanville.

MSSA umpires (in their stylish orange shirts) manning the score-boards.

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 2019.

Such umpiring courses around the country shall ensure that umpires are certified and are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities in all the disciplines (Board gaming, Esports, Wargames).

It is important to also note that MSSA will only consider Registered Players who are certified as National Umpires for upward advancement apropos being recommended for training as an international referee by International Esports Federation (IESF).

Also, MSSA expects registered players who again intend to stand for team selection to 'put back', by becoming umpires. This way a culture of 'giving' is created, and a transference of knowledge is enabled.

The first such course shall be done as follows:

Date: 2 March 2019
Time: 9H00 - 18H00
Cost: R600.00 per Registered Player if not a National Squad member, R400.00 per Registered Player if a member of a National Squad.
Venue: Curro Durbanville, 1 Memento Drive, Sonstraal Heights, Durbanville, 7550
RSVP: 24 February 2019

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.

For additional information, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

Also read:

• Why attend a MSSA umpiring course?

• The new national team selection criteria.

Reminder: Umpiring Course.

As a follow up to the notice posted on 20 March 2018, members are reminded of the Umpiring Course to be held in Mpumalanga.

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:

MPUMALANGA
Date	12 May 2018
Time	08h00 - 16h00
Venue	HTS Witbank, Beyers Street, Die Heuwel, Emalahleni
Fee	R300 per registered member (catering included)
Entry date	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.

Two more Umpiring courses scheduled.

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 dates of such courses are as  follows:

• 7 April 2018 - Free State
• 12 May 2018 - Mpumalanga

Details of the venue will be provided shortly.

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.

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.