WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE(R) CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

[Paul Y Kalumba]

*WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE® CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 *

*Thursday 12th December to Saturday 14th December*

*Etisalat Academy, Dubai*
http://www.eacademy.ae/index.php/facilities/sports-a-leisure-club**



*24 games  - from* *2pm Thursday to* *5pm Saturday*.

*FORMAT:* Random first draw, then lagged Swiss/Australian draw. No lag for
final games.

  Resets (with repeats) after games 10 and 17.  Maximum 3 matches against
same opponent.

*25 minutes per player*

*Free challenge*

*WESPA Rules version 2
                                                              Collins
Scrabble Words 2012*

*WESPA-rated*

*ELIGIBILITY:* must be born 1/1/1996 or later. Passports or ID cards will
be checked for birth dates



*QUOTAS:* Any country which is *not a WESPA member* may send 2 players,
without paying an entry fee. Players in excess of 2 will pay an entry fee
equivalent to US$100.

*WESPA countries* may send up to 10 players, without paying an entry fee.
Players in excess of 10 pay an entry fee equivalent to US$100.  National
Associations decide which players gain free entry.



*ENTRY FEE:* for non-qualifying players, and non-quota players – US$100.

*LATE ENTRY FEE:* Players entered after 1st October pay a late fee
(equivalent to US$50).

*QUALIFYING:* National associations establish local qualifying criteria
(which vary between countries).    “*N*on-qualifying” players pay an entry
fee.



*NON-QUALIFYING PLAYERS:*  I*f you want to compete, first contact your
national Scrabble association.  If they cannot help, offer me $US100 to
secure a place for you.*

*COST:* Free entry for qualifiers. However, everyone pays their own travel
and accommodation.

*PRIZE STRUCTURE:* trophies (plus, in some cases, prize-money) for

   - *PLACING - the top 10 finishers*
   - *AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS* - best player born 1/1/1998 or later, 1/1/2000
   or later, 1/1/2002 or later, 1/1/2004 or later, and 1/1/2006 or later
   (players may receive more than one award)
   - *ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD* - youngest player finishing in top 25
   - *HIGH WORD* and *HIGH GAME*
   - *BEST NOVICE* (who has not competed in WYSC before)
   - *BEST PLAYER FROM A NEW COUNTRY* (eg Turkey, Malta, China)
   - *BEST NATIONAL TEAM*:  Results will be totalled for the top 3
   finishers from any one country.  This excludes countries with fewer than 3
   players (paying or non-paying).

*ENTER by 31st September*  karendr...@gmail.com  Karen Richards, Youth
Committee WESPA




>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


*WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP 2013*

*DATE:* Thursday 12th December to Saturday 14th December

*VENUE:* Etisalat Academy, Dubai UAE (United Arab Emirates)

http://www.eacademy.ae/index.php/facilities/sports-a-leisure-club

*NUMBER OF GAMES:* 24 (Thursday 7, Friday 10, Saturday 7)

*SCHEDULE:* Play begins *2pm Thursday*. Tournament finishes by *5pm Saturday
*. This will allow you to arrive at Dubai airport by 11.30am Thursday, and
fly out after 8.00pm Saturday.

If you are running late, and will not be there by 1pm, you *must* contact
us – Nikhil Soneja will provide his mobile phone number closer to the
event, for use in such emergencies. We can then hold your place in the
tournament.

Clocks will be started if you are late for a game. If you are over 25
minutes late, you will forfeit. Games are grouped into 2s and 3s. Stay in
the playing area for those 2 or 3 games, except for quick comfort breaks.

*Thursday 12th December:*
11:45am to 1pm: Registration and t-shirt sizing. Bring proof of age.
1:30pm Welcome and random draw (no same-country matches)
2pm Game 1 begins
3pm to approx. 5.15pm - Games 2 to 4
5:30pm to approx. 7:45pm - Games 5 to 7

*Friday 13th December:*
8.30am to approx. 10.45am - Games 8 to 10
11:00am to approx. 12.30pm - Games 11 and 12
1:30pm to approx. 3:45pm - Games 13 to 15
5pm to approx. 6:45pm - Games 16 and 17

*Saturday 14th December:*
8.30am to approx. 10:45am - Games 18 to 20
11.00am to approx. 12.30pm - Games 21 and 22
1:00pm to approx.2:45pm - Games 23 and 24

*3:15pm - PRIZE PRESENTATIONS*

*FORMAT:* After the first random draw, players will be matched with someone
whose performance is closest to theirs (Swiss draw). There will be a lag in
most draws, meaning there is no waiting time between games. For the last
few games, there will be no lags - hence it will take longer to finalise
those draws. There will be resets (with repeats) after games 10 and 17. It
is possible that you could play one opponent 3 times. (Gibsonising is not
required, as there is no final playoff.)

*TIME:* 25 minutes per player

*RULES:* WESPA version 2

*DICTIONARY:* Collins Scrabble Words 2012 (CSW)

*CHALLENGE:* free challenge (ie no penalty for challenging correct words)

*RATING:*   This tournament will be WESPA-rated

*ELIGIBILITY:* must be born 1/1/1996 or later. Passports or ID cards will
be checked for birth dates

*QUOTAS:* this year, we are trialling a new system re quotas.

Any country which is *not a WESPA member* may send 2 players, without
paying an entry fee. Players in excess of 2 will pay an entry fee
equivalent to US$100.  If you want to send more than 2, consider joining
WESPA (it will be more economical).

Dubai, being the host country, may send 20 players, without paying an entry
fee. Dubai players in excess of 20 will pay an entry fee equivalent to
$US100.

*All WESPA countries* may send up to 10 players, without paying an entry
fee, provided those names are submitted to the organiser by *30th September
2013*. Players in excess of 10 will pay an entry fee equivalent to US$100.
National Associations will decide which players gain free entry.

*LATE ENTRY FEE*: Any players entered after 1st October will pay a late fee
(equivalent to US$50), to help us fund expenses, as well as compensate for
the extra work and inconvenience caused by late entries.   That means, if
you do not qualify for your national team, and enter late, you need to pay
US$150 - being $50 late fee, and $100 entry fee for being a non-qualifying/
non-quota playing

*ENTRY FEE:* for non-qualifying players, and non-quota players – US$100.
These fees are used to help provide this event for your enjoyment, covering
some of our costs.  You are therefore encouraged to send as many fee-paying
players as possible!

*QUALIFYING:* National associations will establish local qualifying
criteria (which vary between countries).   Countries should set their own
quotas/ qualifying criteria, and let me know if they are sending
“non-qualifying” players, who should also pay an entry fee.  You may wish
to do something like Australia, where we choose our players from those who
compete in adult tournaments (ie not those who restrict themselves to
school events).  Currently, only three have qualified.  These three will be
offered some financial assistance from Australia’s national Scrabble
association, for their fares/ accommodation.  The remainder are welcome to
compete, but will need to pay an entry fee, plus all their own fares and
accommodation (unless they reach the criteria before 31st July)
http://scrabble.org.au/ratings/selective/2013WYSC.html

*NON-QUALIFYING PLAYERS:* If you don’t qualify to represent your country,
you are welcome to pay an entry fee (US$100). We expect you will have some
tournament experience (eg know all 2-letter words, score accurately, finish
your game within 25 minutes, score around 250 to 300 minimum). You must
also pay for your own accommodation and travel. Such players are treated
the same as their qualifying countrymen - they will receive the same free
t-shirts, tile bags etc, and will be eligible for all prizes. (Their
results will *not* be used to calculate any future national quotas, unless
they finish ahead of a qualifying player from their country.)

*BEGINNERS:* Please, for the sake of everyone else, if your child is a
beginner, ensure they can score accurately – this single issue causes the
most problems for organisers!

Just to stress – no competent child player will be excluded from WYSC.  If
they fail to qualify for their own country, they can enter by paying an
entry fee (and subject to supplying some information about experience).
This obviously excludes young players banned from playing in WESPA
tournaments because of unethical behaviour anywhere in the Scrabble world.

*In summary – if you want to compete, first contact your national Scrabble
association.*

*If they cannot help, offer me $US100 to secure a place for you.*

*COST OF WYSC:* There is no entry fee for players who have qualified to
represent their country (see above). However, all players (or their
associations) must pay for their own travel and accommodation.

*ENTRY DATE:* Enter/ reserve your place by 30th September latest. *Anyone
entering after 1st October will pay a late fee of US$50. *This is in
addition to the US$100 entry fee, if applicable.

Late entries will not appear in the souvenir booklet.

*TEAM PRIZE*:   We are introducing a new prize, for the best team. That
will be decided by adding results of the highest three finishers from each
country, regardless of whether these are fee-paying entries or free quota.
Therefore, each country should aim to enter a minimum of three players.

*PRIZE STRUCTURE:* trophies (plus, in some cases, prize-money) for

   - *PLACING - the top 10 finishers*
   - *AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS* - best player born 1/1/1998 or later, 1/1/2000
   or later, 1/1/2002 or later, 1/1/2004 or later, and 1/1/2006 or later
   (players may receive more than one award – eg if you are aged 9, and finish
   overall 10th, you could receive 3 age awards, plus the 10th place award.
    In 2011, an 11-year-old won the Championship, hence taking out all except
   the under-10 award. Additional “age” awards may be made, if this happens
   again.
   - *ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD* - youngest player finishing in top 25 (usually
   someone aged about 12)
   - *HIGH WORD* and *HIGH GAME*
   - *BEST NOVICE* (who has not competed in WYSC before) and
   - *BEST PLAYER FROM A NEW COUNTRY* (eg Turkey, Malta, China)
   - *BEST NATIONAL TEAM*:  Results will be totalled for the top 3
   finishers from any one country.  This excludes countries with fewer than 3
   players (paying or non-paying).

*ADJACENT EVENTS:* Young players  are invited, and encouraged, to
participate in other tournaments being held either before, or in
conjunction with, WYSC. This is an excellent way to improve their game, as
well as overcome jetlag, if travelling from a different time-zone.

   - *PRINCESS CUP BANGKOK * *(23rd and 24th November)* - *Suitable for
   players born 1/1/1993 or later. This tournament has big prize-money. There
   is also an adult section (Collins) with less prize-money, but the
   opportunity to play Thailand’s best (average WESPA rating ~1900). Both
   junior and senior tournaments will be internationally rated. Full details
   are on WESPA website tournament calendar. Cheap flights are available from
   many Asian cities to Bangkok, with Air Asia/ Jetstar/Tiger. European
   airlines who do cheap flights to Bangkok include Air Berlin and Swiss Air.
   KLM/Air France are also reasonable.
   - *PRAGUE:*  It is anticipated that the World Scrabble Championship will
   be held in Prague sometime on/after 29th November.  You may like to
   arrive in Europe early, to get yourself on a reasonably level time zone (3
   hours difference between Prague and Dubai). There will be a side-tournament
   to WSC, which will include a variety of worldwide players of all
   abilities.  It will be WESPA rated. (*NOTE: at the time of writing this,
   nothing has been announced re WSC – we are just working on hearsay. Please
   check these details before booking flights to Prague. An announcement is
   expected by mid-May)*
   - *DUBAI WORKSHOP* *(Monday 9th December)* for young players - beginners
   or experienced - run by Alastair Richards and Karen Richards. Tentatively
   scheduled for 1pm to 6pm.
   - *DUBAI FUN DAY* *(Tuesday 10th December)* See some of both the old and
   new Dubai.  Maybe in the morning, we can organise a short bus tour through
   the centre of Dubai, past Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) then
   on to the indoor ski slope, which is surrounded by a large shopping mall.
   Those not skiing may wish to shop.  In the afternoon/ evening, a desert
   tour can be arranged (includes a traditional bedouin meal).   Details of
   any planned tours (prices etc) will be available closer to the event.
   - *DUBAI SIDE *TOURNAMENT (12th to 14th December) will be held at the
   same time as WYSC, for any adults wanting to compete. This will be 22 games
   (finish lunchtime Saturday), open format, with multiple resets, so that you
   may play the same opponent 3 or 4 times. This will make it suitable for all
   *levels of player, as if effectively handicaps the top players. It will
   be WESPA rated. This tournament is adjacent to WYSC, so parents can still
   be “there” for their offspring. For more details, or to enter, email me
   closer to the date. The closing date for this tournament will be Wednesday
   11th December*.  Bring your own equipment, if possible, plus score
   sheets.  Send entries to karendr...@gmail.com

*GETTING THERE / GETTING AROUND:*

The national airline for Dubai is Emirates.  Emirates Airlines is one of
the best airlines in the world, and highly recommended, if you can get
well-priced sale fares.  (One strange thing you might discover when booking
flights, is that it may be cheaper to fly somewhere else, and then have a
stopover at Dubai, rather than fly just to Dubai.  For example, we intend
to visit Prague first, then back to Australia with a stopover in Dubai,
saving us $400 each in airfares. This may be because the first portion of
this flight is in November rather than December.)

Most other international airlines fly to Dubai. When I last checked, Thai
Airways and KLM/AirFrance were the most economical.

There is only one international terminal in Dubai, but with separate
sections for Emirates versus all other airlines (Terminal 1). The Emirates
end (Terminal 3) is ginormous, so will take you longer to extricate
yourself on arrival.  Other international airport hubs in United Arab
Emirates (eg Abu Dhabi) provide coaches from their international airports
to Dubai (eg Abu Dhabi to Dubai is 1.5 hours). This means that you may like
to use Royal Brunei Airlines.  Etihad is another excellent AUE airline.

FROM THE AIRPORT:  Taxis are available to the venue.  They will cost
approximately US$10 to $$15, and take 15 to 20 minutes.  Print out a map
showing the venue, to show the driver.  Also, have Nikhil’s phone number
available for the taxi driver if necessary.

*VISAS:* Check what is required (many of you won’t need any). If you need
documentation to support a visa application, please contact me early – by
end September if possible. Last year, a number of players missed WYSC
because they did not apply for visas early enough.

*ACCOMMODATION*: Rooms have been reserved as a group booking for WYSC.  We
will give you details of how to book these, within a few weeks.  Rooms are
either single or double. If you are travelling with your family, please
specify that it is important to have adjoining rooms.

Cost of rooms will be approximately US$70-75 per night, and includes
breakfast.  Extra nights are available before and after the event for the
same price.

There is free WiFi in the hotel, plus use of all facilities, including
health clubs and sports amenities. Please check whether children are
allowed to use these facilities, with/without adult supervision.

*FOOD:*  There is a dining room plus cafeteria at the venue.  Otherwise, it
is a short taxi ride to a large mall, where you will get any type of
cuisine you desire.  The most popular are American fast food, Arabic,
Indian and Pakistani.  Taxis to the mall will cost approximately US$6.
Some local eateries will deliver to the hotel within 30 minutes. (More
details of food options will be available on arrival – this is just a guide
so that you can picture what is possible.)  From my experience, food prices
in Dubai were halfway between the more expensive UK/US/Australia, and the
very cheap Asian countries like Malaysia/Singapore/Thailand.

*DUBAI WEATHER:*  Although Dubai is a hot country, this will be their
Winter.  Hence temperatures will mostly be around 25 degrees Centigrade,
quite pleasant, but could cool off at night, particularly if you do the
desert tour. (ie summer clothing required, with one light jacket)

*LOCAL CUSTOMS: *Although Dubai is a Muslim country, there are a large
number of ex-pats working and living there. It is also a top tourist
destination, and they want to keep it that way, so are very friendly to
tourists.  We felt very welcome there - it is not as restrictive as most
Arab countries. Every year we have a few parents who will not take their
children to whatever country we choose, because of their fears – eg I know
of some players who could not go to UK because of fears of terrorism.  As a
mother myself, I am very careful to choose a WYSC destination which I feel
is safe, at least as safe as your home countries.  I encourage you to allow
your child/teenager to experience other cultures wherever possible. It will
help them grow into tolerant adults (the downside is, they may develop an
appetite for overseas travel, as my son has done!)

You are not expected to wear anything different from the normal tourist.
However, all clothing should be modest – no mini-skirts, plunging
necklines, or naked shoulders.  Men should not wear singlet tops or short
shorts, but shorts below the knee are acceptable.  Women are welcome to
wear slacks/ jeans.  Swimwear is acceptable around the pool.  There may be
some sessions where the pool is only open to females. However, after
5.30pm, it is apparently open to everyone.

Alcohol is not allowed in the sports academy, but may be purchased at
various bars in hotels or restaurants around the city, including near the
airport.  Please read about local laws and local customs, to ensure you do
not offend.  This is a link to a website advising Australians how to behave
in UAE – I am sure it will be helpful for anyone
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/United_Arab_Emirates*  *Do
not let this frighten you – it is a great country to visit, and every young
person should experience  cultures other than their own. Whatever career
they eventually choose, some overseas travel will improve the quality of
their work in future.

In Nikhil’s words “The main thing is that people should not feel as if they
are coming to a completely foreign culture.  Dubai is very modern in
outlook, and people lead their lives here with as much social freedom (for
the most part) as they do back on their home countries, unlike Saudi,
Kuwait etc”

*TO ENTER:   contact me by 30st September 2013*
karendr...@gmail.com



(Mrs) Karen Richards

Chair, Youth Committee WESPA

(World English-language Scrabble Players Association)