WYSC 2006

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2006 WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

(presented by CASPA, on behalf of WESPA)

Tournament Director: Dr Wilma Vialle

Scrabble associations throughout the World are invited to compete in the inaugural World Youth Scrabble Championship, to be held at Wollongong University (East Campus) near Sydney, Australia - from 1st to 3^rd December, 2006.Competitors must be under 18 as at 31^st December 2006 (ie born 1^st January 1989 or later).

There will be no entry fees or accommodation charges for the following quotas of young players

(FOR THIS YEAR ONLY, additional players may enter, but will need to pay A$300 entry fee):

* In the tradition of WSC, the host country (Australia), may field an additional competitor, making their quota 5 for this year.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

You may send as many players as you want.If Singapore wants to send 7 players, then there will be no charge for five of them (that is, free entry, plus three days accommodation and meals)The additional two players will pay A$300 (approx US$220) to cover the cost of entry, accommodation and food  - Thursday night to Sunday lunchtime. Adults accompanying the young players, or assisting with running the event, will pay A$50 per day for accommodation and meals. Additional nights accommodation may also be purchased for competitors at the same rate (A$50), if they want to stay later, or arrive earlier (but cannot arrange billets).

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT:

Tuesday28^th November andWednesday 29^th November (two separate events)- entry is free to any WYSC players included in the above quota, plus one reserve player from each country.Adult escorts, parents, helpers and additional youth players may compete.However, there will be an entry fee of A$10 per day for overseas players and A$25 per day for Australian players (This will raise funds for the WYSC)

More details will follow (eg timetable, prize schedule etc).However, I need to know the expected number of participants from each country.If I have omitted a quota for your country, and you have young players ready to compete, please advise me urgently.Note that the recommended minimum standard is the equivalent of an international rating of 1000 (Competition will be tough, with some players having international ratings over 1800).

In order to finalise planning and funding of this event, I need an estimate of numbers participating (there is no need to supply names of players yet – these will be required by September 2006).

PROPOSED PROGRAM FOR PARTICIPANTS AND VISITORS - WYSC

(*all prices are in Australian dollars, not US$.    A$1 =  approx 75cUS)

To participate in ALL planned activities (fun and educational) arrive at Sydney airport on the afternoon of Friday 24^th November.   Participants will be collected from both Domestic and International airport terminals (and maybe Central Sydney, by prior arrangement) that afternoon/ evening, and probably taken to Wollongong for the night.

 Saturday night will be spent in the WoyWoy district, where participants will stay in cheap accommodation (motel rooms with en suite, which sleep 2 or 3, for $60 per night). 

 Saturday 25^th November is a normal Australian TOURNAMENT, free challenge, at WoyWoy.  Everyone is welcome to compete. Cost A$26 includes lunch. There will be 8 games, with each player having 20 minutes. WoyWoy is on the Central Coast approximately 90 minutes north of Sydney .  The scenery is glorious (mountains, deep valleys, forests and ocean).

Sunday 26th – visit AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK.  See snakes and lizards as well as more cuddly animals like koalas (expected cost, less than A$10). Approximately 2 hours.  http://www.reptilepark.com.au

Before lunch on Sunday, travel back to Sydney (sightseeing on the way if time). 

Here Joan Rosenthal will conduct a 2.5 hour SCRABBLE DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOP.  Joan has competed in the WSC, has been a top player in Australia for around 20 years, and is an expert facilitator.  This workshop allows participants to identify their own strengths and areas needing improvement.  There is a heavy emphasis on strategy, and it would benefit any player (except perhaps Adam Logan!)  This workshop is FREE to WYSC participants. There is a small charge for other participants (to cover costs, and help fund other WYSC activities) This will be around $A5 for overseas visitors who are not participating in WYSC, and A$10 for Australians.

On Sunday night, participants will be transported to Wollongong via Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House (and maybe a few other landmarks)

Participants choosing to arrive in Sydney by lunchtime Sunday 26^th November will be collected from the airport, and taken to Joan’s Scrabble Workshop.  If you fly in later in the afternoon, say by 5pm, we may also be able to arrange transport direct from the airport to Wollongong, after the workshops finishes.

Sunday night, and thereafter, will be in WOLLONGONG.  Participants may stay at the Wollongong University (Campus East) student accommodation. This is single rooms, with bathrooms shared between 5 people.  Cost for room plus three meals per day is A$50. or $35 per day when meals are not provided.  There are three basic meal options – vegetarian, Asian, or Australian food. (Halal etc can be done on request) 

Monday 27th November will probably be an excursion to local JAMBEROO WATERPARK, in the picturesque hills behind Wollongong, where the youngsters will enjoy cooling off and exercising on waterslides etc (approximately 5 hours).   Cost will be around A$25 each for this.  http://www.jamberoo.net

Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th  - two separate INTERNATIONALLY-RATED TOURNAMENTS.  Entry is FREE  for all WYSC participants. This will be a fund-raising event for the WYSC, so everyone else will pay (Probably A$10 per day for overseas visitors, and $25 per day for Australians). Details are posted separately.

Thursday 30th – REST DAY,  before the WYSC.  There is a BEACH just 5 minutes walk from Campus East.  Anyone who doesn’t like surf may walk approximately 20 minutes north to a (free) seawater swimming pool.

An OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO THE SCIENCE CENTRE is being arranged for early afternoon – cost $6 each, covers 1.5 hours - a demonstrations, visit to the planetarium, and some hands-on exhibits. This is next-door (a short walk) to the university accommodation.

All participants, not already there, will move into the University Accommodation (Campus East, at Fairy Meadow) on Thursday 30^th November

(Note that the University student living accommodation is NOT in the same suburb as the University itself – there is a shuttle bus running between the two venues, which costs about 70c per trip.Most activities are in the Student accommodation campus, where everyone is staying.However, the two practice tournaments (Tuesday and Wednesday) are at the University itself, in lecture rooms. The students are mostly on holiday, although the university runs Summer Schools at this time.)

Players must register between 5pm and 6pm.  In conjunction with the evening meal (6pm), there will be announcements and an address from the tournament director regarding the WYSC. The initial draw will be done.  It is expected that players will have an early night.  Anyone wanting PRACTICE may use the tables set up in the games area (tables also available in the accommodation section)

 ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE PRESENT by 6pm ON THURSDAY 30^th NOVEMBER (*repeat - that is 1800 hours on Thursday November 30^th).

 Friday 1st December to lunchtime Sunday 3rd December – THE BIG EVENT!There will be 20 games, 25 minutes each, free challenge.  These games will be 8, 8 and 4, over the three days.  Then there will be a final play-off between the best two finishers in the first 20 games. This will be the best of 5, with a 5-point penalty challenge.  Participants will monitor this game from a nearby room, so it will be great fun to watch.  Players may leave early if they need to catch a plane at any time from about 5pm onwards - unless they are likely to be playing the final, in which case, don’t book a plane before approximately 9.30pm (domestic) or 10.20pm (international) on Sunday 3^rd December. (NB. Airport curfew applies after 10.30pm - that is the latest planes may leave Sydney )

 Remember when planning your travel that Wollongong is approximately 90 minutes (80 kms) south of Sydney, so you need to allow 2 hours to get there, given train timetables, traffic holdups etc.  Where possible, we will attempt to have participants greeted at the airport and transported from there. If you are arriving at any time other than those already suggested, (late on Friday 24^th   or Midday to 5pm on Sunday 26^th  ) you may have to use public transport.  Both the train and bus travel from the airport to Wollongong .  The nearest station to Campus East is Fairy Meadow (5 minute walk). However, if you have much luggage and need a taxi, North Wollongong is more suitable. Once your plane tickets are booked, please let me know arrival times etc.