Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:11:05 +1000 From: Karen Richards Subject: WYSC 2007 - announcement WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 WESPA are running the second WYSC from Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th December, 2007. It will be held at the same venue as Causeway Challenge, with a short break between events. Many young players (plus their parents/ escorts) will enjoy competing in Causeway Challenge as well. We are extremely grateful to the Singapore Scrabble Association, for assistance in running this event - in particular, Michael Tang, who is concurrently organising the Causeway Challenge, and Cheah Sui Hean, president of SSA. CAUSEWAY CHALLENGE (OPEN SECTION): Details of Causeway Challenge are attached, but these are the basics. . Open tournament, anyone may play (adult or youth). . Starts lunchtime Friday 30th Nov until early afternoon of Sunday 2nd December. . Best to arrive Thursday night 29th Nov, if you can afford an extra night's accommodation. ACCOMMODATION: Zon Regency motel (Johor Bahru) is 3-star, clean and comfortable, with a large shopping complex attached (internet café, fast food, supermarket, clothing, hairdresser etc). It has a pool and gymnasium. Michael Tang has negotiated a package deal for us, which can be taken with or without meals. The meals are excellent value - buffets with a wide choice, which should satisfy all appetites. For those who want to save money, takeaway food is available slightly cheaper. Sharing a room is cheaper than a single room. Players and accompanying adults must organize, and pay for, their own accommodation, through Michael Tang. (This differs from 2006, where the generosity of Australian Scrabble players, and Mattel Australia, enabled us to provide free accommodation for most players) GETTING THERE (via SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT): It is a 1 hour drive from Changi airport in Singapore (although this can stretch to 3 or 4 hours at peak times, eg late Sunday). It is situated in Malaysia, just across the sea from Singapore - accessed by a road bridge, with two border crossings involved. Participants flying into Singapore (ONLY) will be met at the airport - transport to the venue has been quoted as S$50 per car each way. Because it is actually located in Malaysia, you may also travel to Kuala Lumpur international airport, and then arrange your own transport from the airport. There are local plane connections to Johor Bahru airport (approx 30 mins) plus trains/ buses from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru - about 3 to 4 hours. DICTIONARY: Collins International Words will be used (as per WSC 2007). Penalty challenge still under discussion FORMAT: To be finalized - 20 to 22 games, followed by play-off between top two finishers (best of 5 games) NATIONAL QUOTAS: Attached is a table of the quotas allocated for each country. These have been determined according to our understanding of the numbers of youth involved in Scrabble within each country, as well as the results achieved by those who participated in the inaugural event. There is an extra quota for those who have joined WESPA. Also, there will (again) be an option for national associations to send up to three additional players, if they pay an entry fee equivalent to $US200 (approx 900R). * THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE FOR THE BASIC QUOTA OF PLAYERS (but they must pay for accommodation). Since Singapore Scrabble Association is hosting this event, they are entitled to an additional place. Also, they will be expected to provide a reserve player. In recognition of the location of this tournament within Malaysia, they may also field an additional player. If you are unsure of your quota, or wish to negotiate (eg because we have underestimated the number of young players in your country) please contact me urgently. Also, could you please confirm that you are interested, and give me an indication of expected numbers, including accompanying adults, by 15th August, 2007. SELECTING PARTICIPANTS Some countries already have a mechanism in place to select their teams. It is suggested that participants should be internationally rated above 1000 (or equivalent). However, for smaller countries, we will accept players below that level, as long as they are aware that the standard of play will be very high, with the top players rated close to 2000. Players must be aged 17 or under, AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2007 (ie born 1st January 1990, or later). Passports will be checked, and any players over this age will be excluded. VOLUNTEERS: If you are able to assist in running, computer adjudication, annotating etc, contact me urgently. Please send a photo for ID badge, before 31st October. Dr Wilma Vialle will again be Tournament Director, adding to the international prestige of this event. PRIZEMONEY/ AWARDS: We hope to secure significant sponsorship, such that prize-money will be equivalent of WYSC 2006. There will also be trophies awarded to the best players aged Under 16, Under 14, and Under 12. The youngest player to finish in the top half will receive an encouragement award. A special award is being offered this year, to commemorate Jean McGiffen (founding member of Scrabble clubs and tournaments in Australia). This award will be for Good Sportsmanship - a fitting tribute to a wonderful player. World Scrabble Championship: In 2006, a place in the next WSC (2007) was offered to the winner of WYSC. Unfortunately, this was a once-off offer, to introduce the first WYSC, and is not being offered again this year. It may happen again in future - this has not yet been decided. SCHOOL COMMITMENTS: If your players need documentation to organise time off school, etc, please contact me urgently. DEADLINES: Each country is to advise names of all participants BEFORE 30th September. Photos are required (emailed is OK) BEFORE 31st October Last year, a number of players were unable to compete, because of visa delays. If you need a visa, please apply early (ie before the end of September). KAREN RICHARDS Chairperson, Youth Committee WESPA (World English-language Scrabble Players Association) Email: pandkrichards@optusnet.com.au PHONE: +61 2 42713573 www.youthscrabble.org QUOTAS: Countries which competed in 2006 Australia: 6 - WESPA member Bahrain (see Gulf quota) Canada: 4 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) England (see UK): Gulf Region: 3 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) India: 3 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Kenya: 2 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Malaysia: 5 + 1 for host country = 6 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Oman (see Gulf) Philippines: 4 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Singapore: 7 + 1 for host country = 8 - WESPA member Sri Lanka: 3 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Thailand: 5 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national memberships of WESPA) UK: 5 - WESPA member Countries which didn't compete in 2006 Indonesia: 2 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Japan: 1 (plus 2 extra if two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Ghana: 2 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Tanzania: 2 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Nigeria: 4 - WEPSA member Zambia: 2 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) South Africa: 2 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) USA: 4 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) New Zealand: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Pakistan: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Ireland: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Malta: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Europe: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) South America: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) Israel: 1 (plus 2 extra if at least two individual/ national membership/s of WESPA) others (eg Nepal): 1 " CAUSEWAY CHALLENGE: (from Michael Tang) As usual, we will also have an Open Division for those who did not make it to the Premier Division (Karen's note - the Premier Division is a team event for top players, by invitation only - EXCEPT THAT, if you are rated over 1800, and not from one of the invited countries, you may participate as part of an International team - please contact Michael Tang urgently, in that case, as places are limited).    Below are the details of the tournament: Tournament: 6th Causeway Scrabble Challenge Venue:         Zon Regency Hotel, Johor Bahru Date:           30 Nov - 2 Dec 2007 This is a 22-game tournament. Format: 16 Swiss No-Repeat and 6 King of the Hill Dictionary: Collins Scrabble Word Challenge Rule: 5 points penalty per word challenged Time per game: 25 minutes each   Schedule: Day 1, Friday 30th November 2007 (5 games) 1400 - 1900 Game 1-5 1900 - 2000 Opening Ceremony Dinner Day 2, Saturday 1st December 2007 (10 games) 0730 - 0830 Breakfast 0830 - 1230 Game 6-9 1230 - 1315 Lunch 1315 - 1930 Game 10-15 1930 - 2030 Dinner   Day 3, Sunday 2nd December 2007 (7 games) 0730 - 0830 Breakfast 0830 - 1230 Game 16-19 1230 - 1315 Lunch 1315 - 1600 Game 20-22 1600 - 1630 Prize Presentation   Prize Money:    1st: RM3,000 2nd: RM1,500 3rd: RM1,000 4th: RM700 5th: RM600 6th: RM500 7th: RM400 8th: RM300 9th: RM150 10th: RM150   Registration: RM100   Players in the Open section need to be in the hotel by noon on Friday 30 November 2007. Please send your registration to me either at alchemist9189@gmail.com or you can call me anytime at my mobile no: +65 9189 9189.   Michael Tang Organising Chairman"   The accommodation package (CAUSEWAY CHALLENGE ONLY) will the same as last year.   - RM 480 per person for twin sharing for 3 nights (Thur, Fri and Sat) and 8 meals package - RM 600 per person for single room for 3 nights and 8 meals package - RM 350 per person for twin sharing for 2 nights (Fri and Sat) and 6 meals package - RM 450 per person for single room for 2 nights and 6 meals package The accommodation package (WYSC ONLY) works out the same price (no discount for youth). NOTE: We have NOT organised a meal package for the time between the CSC and WYSC. We expect that most people will be involved in tourist-type activities during that period. Room without meals - RM 90 per person for twin sharing.  RM160 per person for single room.   For example, for someone who wants to play in both tournaments, the package (no meals provided between CSC and WYSC) would be as follows: Check in on 29 Nov and check out on 5 Dec (6 nights)  - RM480 for CSC + RM350 for WYSC + RM180 for 2 nights = RM1010 for double room - RM600 for CSC + RM450 for WYSC + RM300 for 2 nights = RM1350 for single room Exchange rate is now 1US$ to RM3.45.