Calling all female esports athletes.

Gabriella Isaacs remains South Africa's top female esports achiever. Gabriella finished in second place at IESF's 2012 WEC in the StarCraft Female division - second only to South Korea's Kim "Aphrodite" Young.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has always endeavoured to ensure gender equity in all levels of gaming.

Even when the gaming community was slow to accept such gender equality, MSSA held firm to its principles and ensured that there were females as part of all levels in South Africa.

MSSA has more females on its Board than any other esports federation, and has sent more females than any other national esports federation to compete at IESF's World Esports Championships (WEC). In fact, MSSA, in the form of Marisa Van Der Westhuizen, has had the first-and-only female Team Captain and Flag Bearer at an IESF event.

MSSA's current policies dictate that, where possible, half of all National Team Squads, from which the National Team, is selected, shall be female.

However, in 2022 MSSA did not fare so well. The Female CSGO team was unfortunately unable to attend IESF's 14th WEC and as a result the Namibian team snuck through the African Qualifiers to end in fourth (4th) place in Bali and scoop US$5,000.00 prize money.

There is though, a second chance for South African CSGO female esports athletes. IESF shall be hosting a CSGO event for females at its 15th WEC in Lasi in August 2023.

All that a female esports athlete needs to do to be considered for selection is to:

• Be a member of an affiliated club,
• Participate, and win, a MSSA Regional Championship and/or Derby event,
• Participate, and finish in the top three or top 20% (whichever is greater), of a MSSA Provincial and/or National Championships, and
  
• Be ranked in the top 20 places of the official ladder for females.

Lasi awaits those who are not of faint heart. The benefits of merely being selected for the National Squad and earning National Federation Colours is of huge benefit in everyday life.

Take advantage of the opportunity - you know you want to!

For further information please contact SSA on mindsportscorresspondence@gmail.com or on WhatsApp - 079 069 3089.

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
• Selection: Calling all female esports athletes.
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships

Female CSGO teams to play in Bali

 

MSSA's 2018 Protea CSGO Team which is the only all female team to date to have participated in a IESF World Esports Championships in the Counter-Strike GO game title.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has always advocated gender equity in esports. The chief architect of promoting gender equity on both MSSA's field of play, as well as in the administration, is the previous and current MSSA President, Colin Webster.

Even while serving on the Board, and as President, of IESF, Colin Webster never stopped advocating such gender equity - even in the face of, sometimes, quite vitriolic opposition.

Thus for several years, South Africa was the only IESF member who put its money-where-its-mouth-is by entering female players into successive IESF World Esports Championships. For several years the only female participation at IESF World Esports Championships were South Africans.

However, IESF has announced that at its 14th World Esports Championships in Bali in 2022, there will be an event for the CSGO game title exclusively for females.

Such announcement has met with great approval by MSSA Board members and member clubs. 

MSSA has thus already entered a team to participate in such event, and thus female CSGO teams participating in MSSA events shall qualify for National Team Trials and selection.

For further information, please contact Mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com or on WhatsApp - 078 059 3089.

Also read:

• 2022 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - Schools
• Events: 4th Provincial Online Student Championships - 9 April 2022
• Events: 2022 Online Provincial Championships - 16 April 2022
• IESF: Bali Confirmed as Host of the 2022 World Esports Championships Finals
• IESF: Female CSGO teams to play in Bali.
• IESF: IESF TO HOST CSGO EVENT FOR FEMALES.
• IESF: MSSA officially enters Protea Team
• IESF: Six Game Titles for IESF's 2022 World Esports Championships
• Ladder: Clash Royale
• Notices: R65,000.00 in prizes for esports league
• Notices - Advertise your club
• Notices: Learners may play for both private and school clubs.
• Notices - Transfer season
• Results: 2022 Online Western Cape Championships
• Results: Combined Online Provincial Championships for Schools
• Titles: With immediate effect.
• Titles - esports: High School Championships
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships

Notice has been given.

 

Past IESF President, Colin Webster (from South Africa) waving IESF's flag at a recent IESF World Championships.

International  Esports Federation (IESF) has announced that it shall hold its 2020 Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) on 21 December 2020.

As a break from tradition, and due to the impact of COVID-19, IESF shall be holding its OGM via the internet as  per legal opinion. 

By holding such OGM via internet, the safety of all members is affirmed, and full participation is  expected.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has been present at all OGM's since 2009, and have over  the years, made huge contributions in ensuring that IESF continues to become more-and-more democratic and look after the interests of all esports athletes.

Since all members have been invited to submit motions, nominations for the President and Board, and any other matter (submission templates shall be sent separately) by 12 November 2020, MSSA requests all members to submit their suggestions to MSSA's Board by 7 November 2020 for consideration.

MSSA is particularly committed to pursuing gender equity on IESF's Board and on all commissions, as  well as to enlarging the Board to ensure that their is greater diversity and representation.

Also read:

• The road to Eilat
• IESF announces first three titles for 12th World Championships
• IESF's 12th Esports World Championship - Eilat now set to December 6th - 12th, 2020.
• South African Esports Team to represent South Africa in IESF's 12th Esports World Championships - Eilat.
• Tournament Schedule for IESF Regional Qualifiers - 12th World Championships - Eilat.

Calling for nominations: Womens' Desk

Dr. Janine Brand (left) seen here at Hong Kong International airport, attended attended IESF's Global Executive Esports Summit in Busan, South Korea.

The position of Womens' Desk has been available since 2005 when such position was held by Ruth Davey (Maritzburg Christian School).

Since then, only four other Registered Players have held the position of Womens' Desk even though it is one of the most vital of all positions on the Management Board.

Recently Dr. Janine Brand most recently held the position, but due to her term of office ending, the position is now vacant.

The four who have held the position are:

• Dr. Janine Brand (Valhalla)
• Blair Hamberger (VexxedPhoenix)
• Morizane Boyes (VexxedPhoenix)
• Ledile Tshwane (University of Johannesburg)
• Ruth Davey (Maritzburg Christian School)

The incumbent must be a female, and must be concerned with promoting the rights of women and ensuring that all decisions, rules, and regulations conform with gender equity.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is totally committed to enforcing, and promoting, gender equity at all levels.

It is therefore not surprising that MSSA has a female president, that MSSA has clauses within its constitution enforcing gender equity, and that it is the only National Federation in IESF that has had female athletes in its national team every year since 2011.

Thus, this is not a position for 'shrinking violets', this is a position for those with passion, dedication, and commitment.

Any Registered Player wishing to stand for the position, must apply on or before 15 February 2019 to 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

Calling for nominations: Womens' Desk

Blair Hamberger (VexxedPhoenix) proved to be an expert esports athlete and competent administrator.

The position of Womens' Desk has been available since 2005 when such position was held by Ruth Davey (Maritzburg Christian School).

Since then, only three other Registered Players have held the position of Womens' Desk even though it is one of the most vital of all positions on the Management Board.

Recently Blair Hamberger most recently held the position but due to other commitments, is unable to see out her term of office.

The four who have held the position are:

• Blair Hamberger (VexxedPhoenix)
• Morizane Boyes (VexxedPhoenix)
• Ledile Tshwane (University of Johannesburg)
• Ruth Davey (Maritzburg Christian School)

The incumbent must be a female, and must be concerned with promoting the rights of women and ensuring that all decisions, rules, and regulations conform with gender equity.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is totally committed to enforcing, and promoting, gender equity at all levels. It is therefore not surprising that MSSA has a female president, that MSSA has clauses within its constitution enforcing gender equity, and that it is the only National Federation in IESF that has had female athletes in its national team every year since 2011.

Thus, this is not a position for 'shrinking violets', this is a position for those with passion, dedication, and commitment.

Any Registered Player wishing to stand for the position, must apply on or before 5 April 2019 to 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.
• New National Team Selection Criteria
• 2019 Calendar of Events

For the first time ever...

Northcliff High School's Rina Rene du Toit has just earned herself Gauteng High School Provincial Colours.

It is a well known opinion that in order for any sport to grow and flourish, female participation is a must.

It is no different with esports either, and Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is a firm believer of gender equity on all levels.

But of course, it starts at school. If there isn't gender equality at school, there will not be gender equality anywhere.

Northcliff High School seems to be a great promoter of such equality, and as a result, the growth of female gamers in the school grows from year-to-year.

Through such enabling environment, Rina Rene du Toit has been able to come into her own. Having finished in first place in MSSA's 9th Online Schools' Provincial Championships, Rina has set herself up as the female to beat.  Having won her division, Rina also takes away, in addition to her win, Gauteng Provincial High School Colours and the ability to be selected for the National Squad.

Thus all eyes are now on Rina to see just how far she will go.

Also read:

• 2019 Calendar of Events
• New National Team Selection Criteria
• Reminder: MSSA's 2019 Gauteng Provincial Championships - 23 & 24 February 2019
• All the winners of MSSA's 9th Online Schools' Provincial Championships

Massive changes required in the administration of eSports

Maryke Kennard - captain of the 2015 Protea eSports Team that attended 7th IeSF World Championships - Seoul

Talking to a number  of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) officials, there is a growing awareness of a number of very important changes that need to be made in the way that eSports is administrated if it is ever to become an IOC sanctioned sport.

First there are the governance  issues. Not only must the governance of the IeSF be above reproach, but there needs to be a number of constitutional changes made.

The IOC demands that there is gender equality in the member bodies. This must be enforced in the constitution where the gender ratio's are enforced.

Again, MSSA intends  to lead the way in this regard. It  seems as though a number of officials are debating on how to create gender equality on MSSA's Management Board.

The changes could effectively  mean that MSSA would be the first South African National Federation that would ensure that women hold as many positions on the Management Board as what their male counterparts do.

It is all very exciting!