Taking on Austria

It has finally been agreed upon.

On 11 July 2015 the MWEB High School Team eSports SA will take on the Austrian High School Team for FIFA '15 in an online international test match.

The South African team shall play the international test match from the BNKR Gaming Lounge, cnr of Duncan and Mandela Streets, Witbank. The test match shall start at 18H00. 

This test match represents a number of firsts for South Africa, and South African gaming, being:

• This is the first full accredited School's test match accredited by the IeSF, 
• This is the first time that South Africa will com,pete in an online test match against Austria,
• This is the first eSports test match in which the MSSA will be involving a school team, and
• This is the first time that a female player will officially represent South Africa in FIFA '15.

The MSSA has a great deal of confidence in the abilities of the team. Coincidentally the entire team hails from Witbank and is drawn from the strongest High School players that South Africa has to offer.

The players are:

Kyle  Turnbull

Kyle is the undisputed South African National Champion having won the national Championships in two consecutive years. Kyle too also earned his senior Protea Colours when he was selected to represent South Africa in a test match against Zimbabwe. Needless to say, Kyle cruised through the test match and demolished his opposition giving South Africa a well deserved 2 - 0 victory.

Joline Bico

Joline was awarded her Mpumulanga Colours at the 2015 MWEB Mpumulanga Championships in May 2015. Without doubt, Joline is the best female FIFA '15 gamer in South Africa. Joline too is currently the only player that has finished a game against Kyle Turnbull in an official competition game with only a one goal difference (3 - 2) in the past two years.

  Bonga Zwane

Bonga has an impressive record in the MWEB online S A Schools Championships as well as at a couple of Provincial LAN Championships. Bonga has consistently finished in the medals, always on the heels of the likes of Kyle Turnbull. It is the likes of Bonga that continually push the standard of play forward through Bonga's dedication and perseverance.

20th MSSA Western Cape Board Gaming & Wargaming Championships - 22 & 23 August 2015

^{The 20th MSSA Western Cape Board Gaming & Wargaming Championships shall be held at Fairmont High School, Durbanville, on 22 & 23 August 2015.}

^{In terms of the current regulations, any period may be played to more than one rule set if there are sufficient entries, and a player qualified to act as an umpire has volunteered to umpire such rule set.}

^{The championships shall start on both days at 9H00. Players need to register at least 30 minutes before the start of play.}

The following periods have qualified to be played, and shall be, should sufficient entries be received:

Period	CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED ON BOTH DAYS
	Saturday			Sunday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4	ROUND 5
Ancients figure – DBM 3.2	9H00-12H00	13H00 - 16h00	17h00 - 20h00	9H00-12H00	14H00 – 17H00
Pike & Shot – DBR	9H00-12H00	13H00 - 16h00	17h00 - 20h00	9H00-12H00	14H00 – 17H00

Period	CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED
	Saturday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4	ROUND 5
Backgammon	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Checkers	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Draughts (Brazilian)	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Draughts (International)	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Morabaraba	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
SesothoMorabaraba	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45

Period	ONE DAY HISTORICAL FIGURE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED ON SUNDAY ONLY
	Sunday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4
Ancients – DBM 200AP	9H00-10H30	11H00 – 12H30	14H00 – 15H30	16H00 – 17H30

<sup>In keeping with Mind Sport South Africa's policies re development programmes, entries are free and gratis to registered players who are unable to afford to enter such championships should the member club formally request assistance.

Such applications must be directed to the MSSA at:             e-mail:         mindsportssa@iafrica.com

Please note that if there are not at least 10 players entered for a figure gaming period, then such period shall be played to four (4) rounds and not five (5).

Entry fees are:              R60.00 for figure gamers, and
                                   R30.00 for board gamers.

Only players who are registered with fully-paid-up members may participate.

Players are reminded that the majority choice of rules as at the closing date for entries shall be used.

Entry fees can be deposited directly into Mind Sports South Africa's account, held at ABSA Bank, account number, 90 4766 7676.

All entries, and army lists (if applicable) must be e-mailed to the Umpire: Colin Webster at mindsportssa@iafrica.com on or before 20 August 2015.

For the next event please go to https://www.facebook.com/notes/mind-sports-south-africa-mssa/2015-calendar-of-events/10153192681642264</sup>

Sedgwick's Old Brown Sherry Eastern Cape draughts Championships - 11 July 2015

With the Sedgwick's Old Brown Sherry Draughts League having been held successfully in eight regions and in over 100 taverns in a period of seven weeks, the organisers are now able to state the names of the players who will be attending the final play-offs.

The Sedwick's Eastern Cape Provincial Championships shall be held in Centenary Hall, Kwazekhele, Port Elizabeth on 11 July 2015.

It is at such championship that the winner shall be awarded Eastern Cape Colours and shall walk away with winnings of R50,000.00.

Those who are in contention are:

Zone 1
King - Mvuleni Horatius VenganeRunner Up - Mnoneleli Justice Jack

Zone 2

King - Vuyani Mazibuko
Runner Up - Mphumzi Mali

Zone 3
King - Kabawo Luntonti
Runner Up - Xoliasni Promi

Zone 4
King - Melikhaya Nonyukela
Runner Up - Nyirenda Dlamini

Zone 5
King - Thabiso Lelani
Runner Up - Victor Mgobo

Zone 6
King - Witness Zamile FocaRunner Up - Phelelani Percy Lento

Zone 7King - Winile MatiwaneRunner Up - Sakhumzi Mdingi

Zone 8
King - Zibele Dafeti
Runner Up - Phindile Myanka

The event is fully accredited by the MSSA.

MWEB 20th Western Cape Championships - 22 & 23 August 2015

The MWEB 20th Western Cape Championships shall be played on 22 & 23 August 2015 and shall be hosted by Fairmont High School, Durbanville. As usual, the championships also count as part of the process for qualifying for the MSSA's National Team Trials for all disciplines.

Registrations are thus open for MSSA's MWEB 2015 Western Cape LAN Championships. Registrations will close on the 15th August 2015.

Players who wish to compete in any of MSSA's Championships are advised to complete their annual registration forms so that they may registered as Registered Players Players as soon as possible.

Late entries shall be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

All gamers are reminded that the Western Cape 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.

If you have any queries, please contact the MSSA.

Championship Details:

• Hosting Club: Fairmont High School, Durbanville
  
• Venue: Fairmont High School
  
• Date: 22 and 23 August 2015
• Entry Fees: R60.00 per Registered Player per Period
• Computers: Bring your own. Please ensure that all game updates are done prior to arrival. No updates shall be done at the event.
• Schedule: The LAN Schedule for all Provincial events in 2015 is:

Saturday
Time	StarCraft II	Call of Duty: AW	League of Legends (LoL)	Hearthstone	Ultimate Street Fighter IV
09H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts
09H45	Round 2 Starts	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 2 Starts
10H30	Round 3 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 3 Starts
11H15	Round 4 Starts	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 4 Starts
12H00	Round 5 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 5 Starts
12H45		Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round3 Continues
13H00	LUNCH
Time	TEKKEN TTII	Call of Duty: AW	LoL (continued)	Hearthstone (continued)
14H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts
14H45	Round 2 Starts	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues
15H30	Round 3 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts
16H15	Round 4 Starts	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues
17H00	Round 5 Starts
18H00	Awards Ceremony
19H00	Doors Close
SUNDAY:
Time	Dota	CounterStrike	OSU	FIFA '15	Trackmania Nations
09H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts
09H45	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 2 Starts
10H30	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 3 Starts
11H15	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 4 Starts
12H00	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 5 Starts
12H45	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues
13H00	LUNCH
Time	Dota (continued)	CounterStrike  (continued)	OSU
14H00	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts
14H45	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues
15H30	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts
16H15	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues
17H00
18H00	Awards Ceremony
19H00	Doors Close

Rules and Regulations: All Rules and Regulations pertaining to eSports are available from the MSSA. Players are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the LAN League Bylaws and all Period Specific Rules. If any Player wishes to provide advice regarding the drafting of the Period Specific Rules they are encouraged to contact the eSBoC who will take all comments into account.

The following Medals may be awarded at the MSSA's 2015 Western Cape LAN Championship:

• PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three players who are registered players.
• SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three high school scholars, provided they have not received any Premier medals.
• UNIVERSITY: Medals shall be awarded to the first three players who are currently registered at any officially recognised University, provided the players have not received any Premier Medals.
• WOMEN: Women will be awarded medals as per the same basis as above, that is in all three categories.

Colours and National Team Trials:

• National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn National Colours. 
• Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Provincial Colours.
• National Team Trials: All Players that score within the top 20% or top three places, whichever is greater, in a specific Period at a Provincial or National Championship will earn an invitation to National Team Trials. National Team Trials shall be held in the event that a National Team must be selected to represent South Africa when competing in such Period in an International Championship.

Please note that the MSSA does not carry stock of shirts that are awarded. Registered Players who are awarded colours will thus be awarded at an event that they attend after being so awarded.

Please note that times may be changed to take into account load-shedding.

2015 MWEB On-line Championship for HearthStone, StarCraft II, and League of Legends - 15 August 2015.

The MSSA is proud to announce that the 2015 MWEB On-line Championship for HearthStone, StarCraft II, and League of Legends will be held on 15 August 2015.

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 above-named titles.

The MSSA would also like to take this opportunity to thank MWEB for their continued support for gaming in South Africa, and for extending their sponsorship to include all Mind Sports On-line Championships. None of this would be possible without the continued support from MWEB.

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 MSSA member club 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 Monday, 10 August 2015.

Registration:

• To register, a completed registration form must be either faxed to 086 672 1911 or sent as a pdf to mindsportssa@iafrica.com

Medals:

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

• PREMIER: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).
• UNIVERSITY:Medals shall be awarded to gamers the first three gamers that have not won a Premier medal and who are students currently registered at any officially recognised University.
• SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first threelearners currently registered at any officially recognised school, or home schooled, provided they have not received any Premier medals.
  

Colours:

• Protea Colours: Only Players that are selected to represent South Africa in International Championships may earn National Colours if the Protea Colours Board's criteria are met.
• National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn National Colours.
• Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Provincial Colours.
  

When and Where:

• 15 August 2015
• 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 provincial colours;
• The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in Premier, Under 24, and School categories;
• 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