UPDATE: In view of the school suspension caused by the adverse weather, the deadline of enrollment has been extended to 15 September for the main event. Grab your chance to enroll now!
The Hong Kong Youth Scrabble Champions Tournament provides an opportunity for youth players in Hong Kong to play competitive yet friendly Scrabble together in the beginning of a new academic year. This tournament also provides an opportunity for Hong Kong Youth Scrabble Team 2023 members to practice and reinforce their skills before they join the WESPA Youth Cup 2023 in December this year.
HKSPA would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Methodist School for sponsoring the event venue so that we can make this event happen.
Details
Date: 23 September 2023 (Saturday)
Time: 09:00 – 17:30 (Registration starts at 08:30)
Venue: School Hall, Methodist School, 18 Wylie Road, Ho Man Tin
An hour lunch break will be arranged. The finishing time of the tournament may vary subject to the actual tournament schedule.
Eligibility
The main event is open to all players who are born on or after 1 January 2006.
There will be a side tournament as well. The side tournament is open to everyone who are not eligible for Main Tournament.
Format
Main event
6 games
Game 1: Random Draw
Game 2 to 5: Australian Swiss Draw
Game 6: King of the Hill (KOTH)
Players from the same school can play against each other in all rounds. Lagged draw will apply to some selected games to enhance efficiency of the tournament.
For side tournament
If less than or equal to 6 participants:
5 games, round robins (If less than 6 players, KOTH after completing a round robin)
If more than 6 participants:
6 games
Game 1: Random draw
Game 2 to 5: Australian Swiss Draw, sometimes lagged
Game 6: King-of-the-Hill (KOTH)
The side tournament will be cancelled if there are less than four enrolled players. Format is subject to changes.
25 minutes per player, 5 points unsubstantiated challenge penalty per word, WESPA rules version 4, CSW19 dictionary will apply. This tournament will be HKSPA rated.
Prizes
- Champion – trophy
- 1st Runner-up – medal
- 2nd Runner-up – medal
- 4th Place – medal
- 5th Place - medal
- 6th Place – medal
- 7th Place - medal
- 8th Place – medal
- 9th Place - medal
- 10th Place - medal
- High Word – medal
- High Game – medal
Individual Youth Awards
- Best Under-16 Player (born on or after 1/1/2008) – medal
- Best Under-14 Player (born on or after 1/1/2010) – medal
- Best Under-12 Player (born on or after 1/1/2012) – medal
(Players may receive more than one award, e.g. the Best Under-14 Player might as well be the Best Under-16 Player)
School Awards
- Best Performing Secondary School – trophy
- Second Best Performing Secondary School – trophy
- Third Best Performing Secondary School – trophy
- Best Performing Primary School – trophy
- Second Best Performing Primary School – trophy
- Third Best Performing Primary School – trophy
- Best Player from a School – medal
(Results will be collated for the top 3 finishers from each school; those with fewer than three players will not be counted and will not receive the best player from a school award)
For side tournament, the Winner will receive a winner certificate.
Certificates of participation will be given to all participants in the main event.
Certificate of award could be issued to prize winners on request. Players are required to pay an Administrative fee as per the Guidelines on issuance of certification letters.
Entry fee and Enrollment
Enrollment can be on an individual or school basis.
Main event
Schools with at least 3 players are eligible for enrollment on a school basis. Each school may send up to 6 players for free. Any additional players exceeding the free quota must be a HKSPA Individual Member.
For individual players and schools with less than 3 players, the player must be an HKSPA Individual Member.
Side tournament
The side tournament is open to all HKSPA individual members and school teachers sending a school team to the tournament free of charge. Non-members who would like to join the side tournament may sign up as a HKSPA Individual Member to become eligible for the side tournament.
Application method: Applications could be made individually or on a school basis. We will normally consider applications on a first-come-first-served basis. The tournament organiser reserves the right to refuse entry when deemed necessary. Applicants to the Main Event will receive immediate acknowledgement by email. However, their entry will only be confirmed after the closure of application period.
Membership application: Players may sign up as a HKSPA Individual Member by completing an online application form and paying the membership fee at least three days in advance of the tournament. To ensure a smooth registration procedure, no membership fee will be accepted at the registration counter.
Payment method: Players who need to pay membership fee are required to pay the fees in advance. Payment instructions will be sent to enrolled players in due course. We accept payment by:
- ATM Transfer (HSBC/Hang Seng Bank)
- FPS (from any supported banks or stored value facilities)
- Cash or cheque deposit using Cash/Cheque Deposit Machine
Players are encouraged to seek assistance from their parents, teachers or coaches in paying the entry fees if they do not have a bank account.
Enrollment: To enroll for the main event, please visit here: https://events.hkscrabble.org/tms/app/details?tou=20220923_ysct. For side tournament, please enroll here: https://events.hkscrabble.org/tms/app/details?tou=20230923_ysct_side.
The deadline of application is 15 September 2023 for Main Event, and 18 September 2023 for Side Tournament.
Change of players (for school applicants)
Changing players on or before the enrollment deadline may be done online by the school teacher on his/her own. No approval is required.
For request made after the enrollment deadline, requests may be addressed to info@hkscrabble.org with justification. All accepted changes are subject to HK$50 administrative charge per name changed, as certificates / other materials with the players' names may have been prepared. Applications without proper justifications will normally not be entertained.
Verification Policy
To confirm your eligibility to different age- or school-restricted prizes, we will verify your identity prior to the start of the tournament.
Main event participants: Please show us your Hong Kong Identity Card, Birth Certificate or Passport so that we can verify your age and name (EITHER the original or copy). Please also show us your Student Handbook (with school chop on your photo) or Student ID Card to show the school you are studying in (ONLY original is accepted).
Side tournament participants: Please show us any government-issued identity documents that could be used to verify your name.
We will check your documents in the registration counter. They will be returned to you immediately after inspection. If you cannot show us the document before the first game begins, you will NOT be allowed to play even if you know the committee members personally.
Enquiry: Please direct all queries to info@hkscrabble.org.