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Leongatha Coaching Clinic

During the 2009 Easter school holidays from 16th - 18th April, Karen Richards, who is the Chairperson of the World Youth Scrabble Organisation, will be running a coaching clinic in Leongatha, assisted by Scrabble Victoria and some experienced younger players.

This opportunity is offered to those who played in either the 2007 or 2008 Gippsland Primary School Championship, and is guaranteed to inspire the participants to greater things in the Scrabble world. Unfortunately we need to restrict the number of applicants to ten, so reservations will be taken in the order in which I receive them, and anyone who misses out will be placed on a reserve list and contacted if a vacancy becomes available.

The students attending can either travel to the clinic from nearby, or stay at the Leongatha Apex Caravan Park (pictured at right) if space is available - approximate cost $20/$25 per night. The Leongatha Motel is another option, phone 5662 2753, but you would need to be accompanied by a parent. Karen will also run a session for parents and teachers, of benefit when assisting the children with their scrabble at school and at home.

Parents or teachers who wish to be involved, or arrange for children to attend, should contact me - Marj Miller, phone 03 9850 2366, or email mjwm@connexus.net.au for further details.

On Sunday April 19, following the coaching clinic there will be a rated Scrabble tournament in Leongatha for all players, whether or not they have been involved in the clinic.

Gippsland Primary Schools

In 2007, Sue McLaren (Newborough PS) encouraged primary schools in the Gippsland area to have Scrabble competitions within their school throughout the year. The season started in Education Week in May, and culminated in an interschool playoff in Literacy and Numeracy Week in early September. Scrabble Victoria helped at these events, and did so again in 2008 when Lynette Blunt (South Street, Moe) did the organising, with the help and support of teachers and parents who provided transport for the children. In 2009, the successful program continues under the guidance of Candice Huntly (Korumburra PS). The picture at right shows the 2007 Gippsland Primary Schools Champion Robert Blunt, a student at South Street Primary in Moe, with his teacher Anita Houston.

In 2008, Karen Richards from New South Wales attended the final playoff. The picture at right shows Karen (centre back) with the prizewinners at the 2008 Gippsland Schools Scrabble Championship. Karen has been instrumental in encouraging young Scrabblers by conducting regular coaching clinics, generally in NSW. She invited some of the Gippsland players to a clinic in Wyong, and Natasha Cininas, the 2008 Gippsland Schools Champion, with runner-up Anscar Densley attended the clinic, and played in subsequent tournaments. We hope to see them at Victorian tournaments in the future, and hope that they convey their enthusiasm for Scrabble to their friends as well.

World Youth Scrabble Championship

The first World Youth Scrabble Championship was held in Wollongong in 2006, and was won by Australia's own David Eldar. In 2007, it was held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. In December 2008 it will be held in Penang, Malaysia. See http://www.youthscrabble.org for more details. The picture below shows nine of the ten junior players who competed in the 2008 Australian National Championship and Plate, held over Easter at the Prahran Town Hall in Melbourne.

Our young players

The future of Scrabble relies on the youth of today. It has been very satisfying to see the enthusiasm and ability of our young players over recent years. David Eldar started as a thirteen year old, and has now won several major titles. He achieved the rank of Australia's highest rated player by the age of 17, and is the current Australian Masters Champion. Jason Stockdale, Natasha Podesser and Anand Bharadwaj have all improved markedly in their Scrabble ability. Each year we recognise the player who has achieved the highest rating gain for the previous 12 months, and Natasha P. was presented with this award for 2007/08.

David E.
WYSC Champion
2006
Jason S.
WYSC Rep
2006/07
Natasha P.
WYSC Rep
2006/07/08
Anand B.
Rising Star
2008
Natasha C.
Gippsland Schools
Champion 2008
Anscar D.
R/U Gippsland
Championship 08