Youth

The Youth Committee of WESPA is dedicated to including more young people in top-level competitive Scrabble worldwide. Its ultimate vision is to see youth players competing alongside adults in open events. Along the way, it hopes to gradually change the perception of Scrabble as just an older people's game.

NEWSFLASH • World Championships

The Eighth World Youth Scrabble Championships will take place 12th–14th December, in Dubai, UAE. The projected prizes are $1,000US for the winner with a total prize fund of $3,000US. Read about the 2011 event here.

The flagship global event for young players (aged nine to 17) is the annual World Youth Scrabble Championship. But several other dedicated youth tournaments are available through the year, especially in countries that recognise the value of mind sports in education and personal development.

The Youth Committee also:

• promotes Scrabble to youth forums through all forms of media
• supports member nations of WESPA in recruiting and mentoring young players and running national youth championships
• is developing a vital programme of global youth events, in synch with adult or open events
• sources sponsorship for international youth events.

For a range of youth-specific resources and tournament reports, go to www.youthscrabble.org