CO-CHAIRPERSONS REPORT SCRABBLE SA - JUNE 2009. GWEN REA

As a newcomer to this mammoth task of Co-Chairperson of Scrabble SA, may I reiterate that the team, who kept the boat afloat, need to be saluted. Thank you to each committee member director and promoter of Scrabble for their dedication to the wonderful game and challenge of Scrabble.

New to the arena I have spent hours building a data base of players and members and sorted. I urge all Club directors to keep the records updated. Notices via email have gone out timeously and we kept members and non member players updated of upcoming events. Kindly be sensitive when placing info on the Yahoo site and do it only when appropriate for all. Try and keep personal issues personal.

Due to numerous Scrabble members emigrating from Western Province, our membership has dwindled in some areas but gratefully grown immensely in others, but we are delighted some youngsters and newcomers achieved phenomenal ratings in a very short while.

After much groundwork that Anita put in, the Western Province Sports Council eventually contacted Duncan for us to come aboard the debut Mind Games event which was a great success. Our application for affiliation is being considered and has brought about some major considerations for change. We have been invited to play at Parliament next week before the minister does his budget. Sponsorship for inter provincial and international participation in major events is in the pipeline.

School Scrabble is taking off again and our thanks to all involved, the prospects seem promising.

The magazine was great, thanks to all involved. The rules have been streamlined and amended and took loads of effort. So too the Constitution that will be posted on the Website shortly for input and acceptance. Any objections to this need to be emailed to Trevor or myself before the end of June 2009, else we will accept that approval is unanimous.

The Thornton Club has reached its full capacity and it seems like the necessity of starting another club in the area is eminent. Hats off to Anita for almost 30 years of sacrifice and love of the cause. Some still persist in inconsideration regarding assisting to setting up and cleaning up. I am appalled that some don’t even wash their own cups. We have not hired a servant to do it for you.

Previous competitors to the major tournaments in WP have disappointed in their lack of commitment and we trust that this issue will be resolved and we invite discussion as to the reasons.

With the uncalled for mudslinging from Gauteng Scrabble members, via email for the world to observe, I take this opportunity to thank WEPSA for their grace and resistance to not get involved in what I trust will never happen again as it is degrading to the game. The website and rating updates being the main cause, I trust we will in future streamline these issues and be efficiently prompt.

With that said, may I express my heartfelt thanks and my hat off to the organisers of the Scrabble weekends away, a taste was enough to get me promoting the events.

Stricter enforcement of penalties seem imminent as people persist in coming late to tournaments, not arriving at all or not letting tournament directors know that they are playing. Unpleasant mishaps and irregularities at tournaments have been minimal and honesty in any sphere of life is the best policy. We pride ourselves as people of integrity and will not tolerate cheating. At this time, may I say that we as committee do our best to be prompt and efficient, but technology does cause hitches and we plead for your consideration as we spend hours keeping the show on the road. This sometimes comes with criticism, without remuneration, thanks or support at times. Overall though, it has been an honour to get to know the ropes a bit better, to have a special affinity to the dedicated people who I can truly call my family. Thank you all for partaking and contributing to the betterment of life and Scrabble by positively, socially interacting.