Meet the umpire - 2021 Gauteng Online Championships.

Jessie Joubert (ZAG Academy) has had a long association with Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA).

Having started as a player while at Rondebosch High School in Cape Town, Jessie moved seemingly effortlessly up the ranks t0 be inducted into the 2016 Protea Team that participated in IESF's 8th World Championships that was held in Jakarta.

Being ever mindful of the importance to give back in order to further promote the sport, Jessie became an accredited umpire in 2018. Further pursuing his interests in umpiring, Jessie went on to successfully complete IESF's International Referee Certification.

Today, 29 May 2021, MSSA is indeed fortunate to have Jessie umpire its annual Gauteng Online Championships.

Under Jessie's careful watch, the championship is inn good hands.

Also read:

• Thomas Brown to referee at WCA
• Why attend a MSSA umpiring course?
• MSSA names its candidate for IESF's International Referee Workshop.
• Calendar of  Events: 2021

Not much time to apply.

 

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has just been informed that International Esports Federation is launching its first Online Referee Program.

IESF's Online Referee Program was in the planning stages for a couple of years, so it is a bit of a surprise that member federations only have until Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 to make their nominations.

This means, that all MSSA Registered Players wishing to be considered must apply by 12H00 on Tuesday 8th, 2020 for consideration by MSSA's Board.

The Referee Program is one of the three pillars of the Global Esports R&D Center, located in Busan, South Korea, supported by Busan Metropolitan City and Busan IT Promotion Agency.

Following up on the Referee Academy conducted at the beginning of 2020, this online session will be the second opportunity for national referees to be trained for the international level in 2020.

International Esports Referee Program is dedicated to the development of standards and an intensive curriculum designed to educate and increase the expertise of national and international Esports referees. This is done in order to support the integrity of Esports and to contribute to the success of athletes, teams, and events on the world stage.

Introducing IESF’s International Esports Referee Academy Instructors

International Esports Federation (IESF) is pleased to introduce the trainers for the debut session of the International Esports Referee Academy.  Combined, the three instructors have accounted for over 20 years of national and international Esports refereeing experience and over 50 years of global Esports insight.  They look to pass that knowledge on to the next generation of Esports leaders at IESF International Esports Referee Academy, which is set to kick-off its first session later this month.  

Introducing IESF International Esports Referee Academy instructors.

Sungwon Lee 

As a member of the F1 Amateur StarCraft Team from 2005 to 2013, Mr. Lee competed in all levels of events as an athlete.  Building on that experience, Sungwon began his career as a referee with the Korea Esports Association in 2009 as a referee for the StarCraft competition. He joined IESF’’s team of international referees in 2017.  To date, he has refereed over 400 StarCraft and Special Forces matches, and has accumulated a depth of experience in Esports communications and event management through his work with the World Cyber Games, World Cyber Arena, Spotv Games, and VSGames.

Seonghee Sinnara Bae

Seonghee Sinnara Bae has been an Esports referee since the 2011 World Cyber Games in Busan.  She has worked with IESF since the 2012 Esports World Championship in Cheonan, and has worked with the Korea Esports Association since 2014.  She has overseen countless national and international competitions in the StarCraft, League of Legends, and DOTA 2 arenas. Her lectures around regulations and referee behavior will be a key component of the program.

Colin Webster

IESF President Colin Webster began refereeing esports events in South Africa in 1998 and has refereed and organized events at every level from regional through to national and international events.  He brings 30 years of leadership in the global mind sports and international Esports industries to the classroom, where he will lecture on topics of ethics, communication, and event management.

IESF International Esports Referee Academy is one of the three pillars of the Global Esports R&D Center in Busan, South Korea.  Through the dedicated support from both the City of Busan and Busan IT Promotion Agency (BIPA), IESF is able to develop initiatives designed to elevate and promote Esports.

Why attend a MSSA umpiring course?

Without the dedication of MSSA's umpires, events would not run smoothly.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is the only body in South Africa that runs accredited umpiring courses for Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, Esports, and Wargames.

Once having passed the MSSA course is a Registered Player allowed to umpire at a MSSA Regional, Provincial, and/or National Championship.

It is through umpiring in MSSA championships that Registered Players make themselves eligible for selection by MSSA's Management Board for training at IESF, FMJD, and IWF Courses.

In the case of IESF, only once a Registered Player has successfully completed IESF's comprehensive course, then, and only then, may such Registered Player be considered to referee at IESF's prestigious World Championships.

It should be noted that a Registered Player who is selected to umpire and/or referee in an international event also earns Protea Colours.

Thus MSSA continues to create upward ladders for all its  Registered Players and allows athletes to maintain involvement in this exciting and developing field even when their days of playing competitively are over.

Also read:

• MSSA names its candidate for IESF's International Referee Workshop.
• The IeSF's Referee course is under way!
• Thomas Brown to referee at WCA
• MSSA to nominate candidates for IESF's International Referee Workshop.
• MSSA's umpiring course - 19 January 2019.
• MSSA's umpiring course - 2 March 2019.

MSSA's umpiring course - 19 January 2019.

Jason Batzofin (foreground) seen seated with other dignatories at IESF's 10th World Championships is MSSA's Executive Officer in charge of umpiring.

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.

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).

The first such course shall be done as follows:

Date: 19 January 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: Old Edwardian Society, 9 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg
RSVP: 14 January 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:

• MSSA's umpiring course - 2 March 2019.

IESF's Referee Workshop has been successfully concluded.

All the participants (from left to right): Dr. Pei-Chi Chung (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Lukas Jakob (Switzerland),  Sungwon Lee (Korea), Markus Koskivirta (Finland), Stanley Tia (Indonesia), Colin Webster (IESF President), Jeroen den Hartog (Netherlands), Duc Hoang Nguyen (Vietnam), Meysam Hosseini (Iran), and Leopold Chung (IESF Secretary General).

International Esports Federation (IESF) held its international referee workshop in Busan, South Korea, on 12 to 14 December 2018. 

Such Referee Workshop was sponsored by Busan Metropolitan City and Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (BIPA). The continued support of both the Busan Metropolitan City and BIPA is ensuring the long-term sustainability of Esports as a fully accredited sporting code. 

The International Referee Workshop was attended by eight delegates from eight countries. Among the delegates was the notable Dr. Pei-Chi Chung (Chinese University of Hong Kong) as well as Markus Koskivirta (Finland) Jeroen den Hartog (Netherlands), Meysam Hosseini (Iran), Lukas Jakob (Switzerland), Stanley Tia (Indonesia), Sungwon Lee (Korea), and Duc Hoang Nguyen (Vietnam).

During the grueling workshop, many decisions were taken which shall result in a leaner and more efficacious Referee Academy that will deliver a prestigious Referee Course. IESF sees such Referee Course as an integral part of the continued development of Esports in which greater emphasis is placed on upward development of technical officials as well as the protection of the rights of all esports athletes. 

The next step is for all the findings and deliberations to be codified for future training.

Also read:

• IESF International Referee Workshop to start on 12 December 2018

MSSA to nominate candidates for IESF's International Referee Workshop.

Thomas Brown at IeSF's 2016 Referee's Course in Yinchuan, China.

International Esports Federation (IESF) has a vision to standardise esports and its ecosystem in which it finds itself, As such IESF is has a process to build the ‘International Referee system’ which is currently under development. To achieve such goal, IESF is calling for potential international referee candidates to support building the system and also take part in the International Referee Academy.

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.

Details of the International Referee Workshop are as follows:

• Date: December 2nd or 3rd week (TBD)
• Location: IESF Secretariat, Busan, Korea
• Support: Flight, Accommodation, Meals during respective schedule

Criteria for Potential Candidates of International Referee are:

• With minimum experience of tournament operations of 2years, over 10 esports events
• Referee candidate(s) need to be recommended by the National Federation for an official Referee License
• Speak English(Fluent)
• Valid passport

National Federations need to reply to IESF by 28 November 2018, so all interested applicants must submit their applications to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com on or before 25 November 2018.

1) Letter of NF’s recommendation

2) Referee Resume

3) Copy of English Test License(if have)

Total of 8 applicants will be selected as participants in the program and will be announced to all members as soon as all evaluation is completed.

Also read:

• The IeSF's Referee course is under way!
• Thomas Brown to referee at WCA

Markus Koskivirta, IeSF's first chairperson of IeSF's Referees' Commission.

Markus Koskivirta (on left) witnessing the Athletes' Oath at IeSF's 8th World Championships - Jakarta.

 International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) elected Markus Sakari Koskivirta (Finland), as the Chairperson of IeSF’s Referee Commission in June 2017.

             Starting his referee career in 2009, Markus Koskivirta has successfully held various positions as a top class referee. Markus was selected as, and held, the position of head referee of IeSFs 8th Esports World Championship.

"I'm very thankful for this opportunity to ensure the high quality of IeSF World Championship now and in the future. The Rules and Regulations used for competitions are what make a tournament reliable and ensure an even ‘playing field’ for all participants. In addition to guaranteeing the integrity of the World Championship I believe the Commission can benefit other esports operatives by creating a standardized set of rules and guidelines for use openly and around the world. I'm personally looking forward to starting the work in collaboration with the members of the Commission as soon as possible.” said Markus Koskivirta, the new Chairperson of IeSF’s Referee Commission.

             IeSF’s Referee Commission will be focusing on the management of competition regulations for its Esports World Championships. It will also have input on the criteria for venues, regulations for equipment, to allow esports athletes to play in a standardized environment. The commission shall also establish a training system to educate potential esports referees in relation to the International Esports Academy. Such training of referees is designed to support esports athletes once their gaming careers have ended.

             “IeSF is very pleased to appoint Mr. Koskivirta as the Chair” said Alex Lim, Secretary General of IeSF. “With his expertise, IeSF trusts that the new referee commission will be a milestone for standardizing the international esports scene, which is also one of the core mission of IeSF. We will continue enhance the esports ecosystem and create more values for the welfare of esports athletes for the better of esports and protection of players.”

IeSF is calling for nominations for its Referee's Commission.

Thomas Brown at IeSF's 2016 Referee's Course in Yinchuan, China.

Many readers will remember that in 2016, MSSA's Thomas Brown (of All Stars) was selected to go to IeSF's Referees Course in Yinchuan in China. Not only did Thomas excel during the course, but he too ended up being the head referee at WCA's Grand Finals which were held in the Olympic Tennis Stadium in Beijing.

With the demands for developing referees, IeSF's Board has decided to create ‘Referee’s Commission’. 

According to IeSF, the Referee’s Commission will be conducting the following tasks.

1. Selection of Referees for events
2. Prepare Competition Regulation for IeSF events
3. Prepare Competition Regulation for each game title for IeSF events
4. Prepare training courses for Referees
5. Assist with the running of the Academy in the following categories whether it be at a physical venue, or online, by
   a.       Providing feedback on online lecture videos of referee course
   b.       Building offline course contents and materials
   c.       Evaluating Referee Course Trainees at offline competitions.  
   d.   (Trainee – Participants of offline course of International e-Sports Academy)
6. Create a Code of Conduct for Referees and enforce the observance thereof
7. Create a hierarchy for Referees to be used in IeSF Championships

Thus IeSF has requested all member federations to nominate a person that they feel would be suitable for the position of Chairperson for the commission. Each member federation may only nominate one person for such position which is to reach IeSF's Secretariat before 30 April 2017. 

Such nomination must include:

1.      Resume of nominee that includes self-introduction and carrier

2.      Official recommendation letter (signed by president or sealed with NF stamp)

According to IeSF, the following qualities will be considered for Chairperson of Referee’s Commission

1.    Fluent English

2.    Proficiency of referee’s role or Referee’s Commission’s role stated above

3.    Ability of organizing and operating a commission

4.    Communication skill for cooperating with IeSF Board and Secretariat

The Board will elect the chairperson from the nominations made by Members in their next Board Meeting.

If you feel that you have what it takes, and are a fully-paid-up Registered Player, please contact MSSA at mindsportssa@iafrica.com as soon as possible.

Milestones.

MSSA's BF2142 team that went to Taiwan in 2006.

Many will know that Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) sent its first team across in 1991 to the World Wargames Championships. MSSA (then known as the South African Wargames Union) too took part in the meeting at Vanderbijlpark (as featured in the film Invictus) which decided the fate of the Springbok emblem. Thus in 1994, MSSA moved away from the Springbok logo and adopted the Protea.

It seems that in every year that MSSA reaches new heights an creates new milestones on its journey.

2016 was no different, and MSSA certainly created some impressive milestones, the most important being:

* Thomas Brown became SA's first accredited international referee.

* Thomas Brown refereed the World Cyber Arena finals in Beijing.

* Jason Batzofin was elected on to IeSF's Athletes' Commission.

* Colin Webster was re-elected on to IeSF's Management Board.
* Morizane Boyes became the first female President of MSSA.
* MSSA held its 30th National Championships on 3 & 4 December 2016.
* Rules were amended to allow MSSA to be the only SA sport federation with true gender equity.

However, none of it would have been possible without the participation of each and every level. All members made a contribution to help MSSA grow and survive.

Thank you, one and all.

In for a second term!

Prof. Andy Miah with Ryan Boyes at IeSF's 7th World Championships - Seoul.

Ever since the MSSA's Constitution was amended to allow for an eSports representative to sit on MSSA's Management Board, no one person has ever managed to hold the position for more than one term.

Nevertheless, Ryan Boyes made the bold leap of standing for a second term.

The position of eSports Representative is a position that involves an incredible amount of work. Duties for such position include:

• Helping to select the national teams,
• Manage the national teams,
• Ensure that the bye-laws for competitions are up-to-date, 
• Maintain the rankings, 
• Chair the eSports Board of Control, and
• Ensure the good-governance of esports.

 Ryan performed admirably in his first term. Under his watch South Africa earned an international  ranking of 14th.

Also under his watch, South Africa participated in no less than 14 online test matches.

Ryan's dedication and attention to detail allowed him to also elevate others to positions that were reserved for him in terms  of the Constitution and Regulations. Thus through his motives of altruism, Ryan appointed Jason Batzofin to the role of Team Manager for the Protea Team that attended IeSF's 8th World Championships - Jakarta.

It, too, was largely due to Ryan's efforts that  Thomas Brown attended IeSF's Referee Course in China. The course paid huge dividends for Thomas as he was then appointed to referee the WCA Championships.

MSSA is confident that having Ryan at the helm of eSports, eSports in South Africa will continue with its exponential growth.

A list of all eSports Representatives from 2005 is as follows:

Year	Name	Club
2017 – 2019	Ryan Boyes	BNKR Gaming
2014 – 2016	Ryan Boyes	BNKR Gaming
2012 – 2013	David Webster	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
2009 – 2011	Dr Ryan van den Bergh	Wits University Wargames Club
2006 – 2008	Johann von Backström	AGASA
2005	Rob Stevens	Knights Mind Sports Club

In a class of her own.

Kath Cossi

Kath receiving her  official accreditation

Kath (behind the gamers) refereeing

At the recent IeSF National Qualifiers held by CBDEL in August, in Brazil, Kath Cossi refereed the entire event.

The event was held  over  three days, and, although  Kath was there for all three days, she showed no signs  of tiring whatsoever.

Kath is the only female in the southern hemisphere who is currently an IeSF accredited referee.

Having earned her accreditation in May 2016 at the WCA sponsored event, Kath has remained fully committed to promoting esports at every level.

However, do not think for one moment that petite Kath is a pushover. Kath is a hard task-master and none of the gamers dare contest her decisions.

Thomas Brown off to China.

Thomas Brown

MSSA has selected Thomas Brown (of the All Stars Club in Witbank) to attend the International Referee Conference in Yinchuan, China.

The International Referee Conference is separate from the International e-Sports Academy.

A number of topics will  be dealt with at the Conference, and Thomas, who has officiated at no less than 15 MSSA events, as well as running 22 of his own, is a perfect  candidate for such conference.

The Conference will start on 12 May 2016 and end on 16 May 2016.