Press coverage for clubs

There is a growing need for smaller clubs to get as much press coverage as possible.

The reason for such is that there is a direct correlation between press coverage received and the ability to earn income from sponsorships.

Thus MSSA has always tried to give its member clubs as much publicity as possible when reporting results and selecting teams.

However, it is often felt by MSSA that member clubs do not take advantage of MSSA as what they are entitled to.

For example, MSSA Regulations practically enforce MSSA to advertise a member club's events – as long as it does not clash with an MSSA event, and timeous notification is also given.

Not only does MSSA give member clubs coverage of club events, of teams doing well at provincial and national championships, but also gives clubs the opportunity of gaining extra coverage by hosting MSSA events.

Thus a number of clubs offer to host Regional Championships. Regional Championships, unlike Provincial and National Championships, do not require much infrastructure as at Regional Championships, host clubs may pick-and-choose which titles they intend to host.

For the first time: a Pan American Championship !

City of Águas de Lindóia

Águas de Lindóia, inside São Paulo State, Brazil, will host the 13th World 64 Squares International Championship and the 19th Pan American Championship 100 squares, from 22 to 30 September.

See more informations in the websites:

www.padcc.org and www64fmjd.org.

The WC 64 International (Brazilian) will qualify 6 players for the World Mind Games in China.

And the 19th Pan American Championship will qualify players for the WC 2017 and also 1 player to World Mind Games in China.

We will keep you informed about these 2 beautiful competitions !!

Hard work, dedication, and a lot of coverage

2015 Protea eSports Team

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is known for promoting eSports at every possible level.

From continuously running events in every province (see attached Calendar of Events), to running events at every possible level (schools, Regional, Provincial, and National  Championships), the volunteers at MSSA never tire of promoting eSports and those that play the games.

As a result, gamers now qualify for University bursaries  to help them up the ladder of life.

Due to the fantastic work done by all MSSA volunteers, MSSA has already run 10 events since January 2016, and consequentially MSSA has received coverage of over 170 articles which have appeared on TV, in fora, newspapers, and magazines.

Over the years MSSA has given every sponsor exceptional coverage and value for money.

2016 will see MSSA send its Protea eSports Team to IeSF's 8th World Championships to be held in Jakarta in October.

Why MSSA governs itself the way it does

Back in July 2015 I wrote about the spat that SASCOC is having with MSSA over MSSA's lack of having a 'succession' plan.

In such article I looked at a  few of the reasons why SASCOC would want a succession plan.

However, it is far more important to note that according to the National Sports and Recreation Act, Number 110, of 1998 (as  amended) that National Federations are the sole authority in South Africa for the codes that they administer.

This ultimately means that no body (government or otherwise) may dictate to a National Federation on the form that they take.

It is purely up to the National Federation, and the National Federation alone.

Thus MSSA has constituted a form whereby member clubs are directly affiliated to the national structure.

The reason for  doing  such is as follows:

1. It is cheaper to administrate. Instead of having a number of associations, monies can be directly allocated to where such need to be spent, and
   
2. Member clubs are advised directly of all decisions. There is no playing 'broken telephone' whereby member  associations only advise member clubs on selected decisions, and
   
3.  All  member clubs can make a direct input into how MSSA is run, and
   
4. The form of MSSA mirrors  that of the South African Republic itself. Thus when Parliament changes the provinces  of South Africa, MSSA automatically adheres to such changes. Thus MSSA requires no tedious General  Meetings, and/or long debates to stay in line with the country's constitution, and
   
5. MSSA's  constitution allows freedom of thought and democracy unseen in any other sporting code. Any fully-paid-up Registered Player may be elected into any position whether it be on the Board, or as a provincial and/or Regional  Manager. Instead of people having to politic for years-and-years to get onto provincial and national structures,  and then to do so only when they are tired, cynical, and disillusioned, young passionate players can swiftly make an input. MSSA's structures are designed for the youth, and those that work. The system also is very unforgiving to committee members that do not perform, as there is no way to manipulate the system to protect the holding of any position.

Thus all MSSA member clubs truly support MSSA's structure. Only those with ulterior motives are opposed to the way in which MSSA governs itself.

South African National School Championships - 30 & 31 July 2016

All of them, winners!

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) started its South African School Championships back in 1996.

Although the championships back then only concentrated on board games and wargames, the championships has over the years also been broadened to include eSports.

It has over the years, been a great source of unearthing the talent that has driven many of the senior national teams.

Many top gamers at school level have been enlisted into National Team duty – and have done very well!

One only has to remember players like Vincent Lane (St John's College), Andre Tonkin (Krugersdorp High), David Webster (Sandringham High), Dominic Bauer (Eden College), Conradie van Heerden (DF Malan), Jason Batzofin (St John's College), Elishia Retief (Hoerskool Linden), and Gabriella Isaacs (SAHETI).

All of the above have performed at the highest levels both here and abroad, and all of whom have done South Africa proud – very proud indeed!

The Annual South African National Championship shall be played on 30 & 31 July 2016.

The championship also counts as the MSSA's National Team Trials for MSSA Junior Protea Teams.

Registrations will close on the 10 July 2016.

Players who wish to compete in any of MSSA's Championships are advised to complete their annual registration forms so that they may register as Registered Players as soon as possible. Late entries will be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

All gamers are reminded that the South African National Championships is 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: Parklands College, Cape Town
Venue: Parklands College, Cape Town
Date: 30 & 31 July 2016
Game Entry Fees: FREE
Entries: Clubs must use the entry form on Google Drive to enter their players.
Food & refreshments: Highly reasonable prices
Computers: Bring your own. Please ensure that all game updates are done prior to arrival. No updates shall be done at the event.
Schedule: As below.

Board games titles to be played at 2016 School National Championships

Saturday

Checkers

Morabaraba

eSports titles to be played at 2016 School LAN National Championships

Saturday	StarCraft II	League of Legends	HearthStone	Tekken Tag Tournament II
Sunday	Sunday	CounterStrike: GO	FIFA '16	DotA 2

Wargames to be played at 2016 School National Championships

Saturday	Ancients - DBM 3.2
Sunday	Ancients - DBM 3.2

Games begin at 9H00 on both days and shall end at 18H00.

Rules and Regulations: All Rules and Regulations pertaining to eSports are available from the MSSA. Players are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the 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 MSSA who will take all comments into account.

The following Medals may be awarded at the Championship:

• 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place: For both male and female,  as well as for both High School and Primary School

Colours and National Team Trials:

• Junior National Federation Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn Junior National Federation Colours.
• Provincial Colours: All Players that 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.
• Junior Protea Team: This event shall be used by MSSA to select a junior Protea Team. However, because the team will also be expected to play in 2017 for South Africa, Grade 12's are not eligible for selection.

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

Annual City of Johannesburg Regional Championship - 23 July 2016

Elishia Retief in action!

The Annual City of  Johannesburg Regional Championship shall be played on 23 July 2016.

The championship also counts as a qualifier for the MSSA's National Team Trials as according to MSSA's rules, the winner of a Regional Championship automatically is invited to such National  Team Trials.

Registrations will close on the 10 July 2016. Players who wish to compete in any of MSSA's Championships are advised to complete their annual registration forms so that they may register as Registered Players as soon as possible. Late entries will be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

All gamers are reminded that the City of Johannesburg Regional Championships is 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: Old Edwardian Wargames Club

• Venue: Blue Room, Old Edwardian Society, 11 Ninth Ave, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg
• Date: 23 July 2016
• Game Entry Fees: R60.00 per Registered Player per Period
• Entries: Clubs must use the entry form on Google Drive to enter their players.
• Schedule: No LAN / PC gaming. Only Board and Console Gaming at this championships.
• Food & refreshments: Highly reasonable prices

	Ancients 200AP   DBM 3.2	FIFA '16	Morabaraba	TEKKEN TTII
Round 1	9H00-10H30	09H00	10H00-10H45	09H00
Round 2	11H00 – 12H30	10H30	11H00 - 11H45	10H30
Round 3	14H00 – 15H30	12H00	14H00 -14H45	12H00
Round 4	16H00 – 17H30	14H00	15H00 - 15H45	14H00
Round 5		15H30	16H00 - 16H45	15H30
Awards shall be awarded immediately after play has ceased.

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 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 MSSA who will take all comments into account.

The following Medals may be awarded at the MSSA's 2016 City of Johannesburg Regional 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.
• WOMEN: Women will be awarded medals as per the same basis as above, that is in both categories as above.

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.
• Regional Colours: All Players that win their division in a Regional Championship shall be awarded Regional Colours.
• National Team Trials: All Players that win their division in a Regional Championship shall earn an invitation to National Team Trials in such division. 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 times may be changed to take into account load-shedding.

FUNDACIÓN DE LA CONFEDERACIÓN PANAMERICANA DE DEPORTE ELECTRÓNICO

El 7 de junio se celebrará en Buenos Aires, la ceremonia de
fundación de la Confederación Panamericana de Deporte Electrónico
(CONPANDE o PANESCO, por sus siglas en inglés), producto de un
esfuerzo conjunto de varios países del continente para establecer un
ambiente propicio para la práctica del deporte electrónico en cada
una de las naciones participantes. La Confederación tiene como
propósito estandarizar, regular, impulsar y supervisar el desarrollo
de diversas disciplinas deportivas en el continente, así como
impulsar su introducción e inserción en la cultura y educación de
los países miembros; y formar un marco unificado de trabajo a nivel
continental para lograr el crecimiento del deporte electrónico en
toda América.

Los miembros fundadores de PANESCO serán Argentina, Brasil y Costa
Rica. Cada una de las naciones estará representada por una
organización local. Nuestro país será representado por el sr. Luis
Regalini, presidente de la Asociación Argentina del Deporte
Electrónico (AADE). Por parte del país vecino, la organización
representante es la Confederación Nacional de Deporte Electrónico
(CONADEL), a cargo de su presidente Daniel Cossi. Por último, el
país centroamericano estará representado por la Liga Costarricense
de Deporte Electrónico (también conocida como la Liga Tica de
Leyendas) y su presidente Felipe Montoya. Las organizaciones
fundadoras se han hecho acreedoras a esta calidad en virtud de su
larga trayectoria de trabajo realizado en función del deporte
electrónico en sus respectivos países y por su condición de
miembros o miembros aspirantes (en medio del proceso de membresía y
acreditación) de la Federación Internacional de Deporte Electrónico
(IeSF por sus siglas en inglés), el máximo ente rector de la
práctica de la disciplina del deporte electrónico entre naciones.

2016 National Team Trials - a huge success!

Gamers  in action

The recent MSSA 2016 National Team Trials held at St John's College in Houghton on 4 June 2016 was without doubt a great success for MSSA and the gamers. The school's facility from catering to IT infrastructure was absolutely amazing.

For many gamers the National Team Trials represent the next step in gaming.

National Team Trials is the bottom rung of international competition. By earning Protea Colours a whole new world is opened up to gamers as they are able to then compete in recognised international events that are administered or accredited by International eSports Federation (IeSF).

Protea Colours too enables gamers to apply for sports bursaries at University.

The Trials themselves showed that not only is MSSA's school development programme paying dividends, but that gaming is in good hands.

To get  to Trials, gamers competed over  a year  in various MSSA events.

The MSSA committee is enormously upbeat about the teams that participated at the Trials, and are confident that South Africa will soon become one of the most competitive countries in the world.

At the Trials some of the big names were present like Anteria Gaming, White Rabbit, and Tuks University Mind Sports.

There were also a number of schools represented, most notably Northcliff High School, St Stithians College and Sasolburg High School.

The school teams shook the foundations of gaming as they toppled many of the 'giants' to earn the respect of all who were present.

MSSA has now got all the results and is deliberating.

There is of course, due process that must be followed before the team may be announced.

As soon as the process is completed, MSSA shall announce the team.

Only then the process of readying the team, through online test matches, shall begin.

22nd MSSA KwaZulu Natal Board Gaming Championships - 9 July 2016

Protea team members in action.

The 22nd MSSA KwaZulu Natal Board Gaming Championships shall be held at Maritzburg College, Pietermaritzburg, on, 9 July 2016. 

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:

Board gaming
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

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

Entry fees are:              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 must be entered onto the club's Google  Drive before or on 1 July 2016.

22nd MSSA KwaZulu Natal Wargaming Championships - 9 & 10 July 2016

A game in progress!

The  22nd MSSA KwaZulu Natal Wargaming Championships shall be held at Maritzburg College, Pietermaritzburg, on 9 & 10 July 2016.

The event counts as a  qualifier for the 2017 National Team Trials.

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	ONE DAY HISTORICAL FIGURE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED ON SUNDAY ONLY
	Sunday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4
Ancients – DBM 3.2	9H00-10H30	11H00 – 12H30	14H00 – 15H30	16H00 – 17H30

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.

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 must 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 head of umpiring: Ewan Retief at: ewan.retief@gmail.com on or before 1 July 2016.