The event
Every two years, Australia and New Zealand compete in the Trans-Tasman event, pitting Australia's top 12 players against New Zealand's
top twelve. In 2012, the competition will be held in Australia.
Selection process
This is an invitational event where players are selected by the Council of Australian Scrabble Players
Association.
Qualification criteria
The qualification criteria are:
- A player must be a financial member of ASPA for the entire qualifying period.
- A player must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Temporary visa holders are not eligible.
- The method of ranking candidates is by the three peak statistic (the Q statistic) described below.
The three peaks Q statistic
The primary criterion for ranking candidates is the Q statistic calculated like this:
- The qualification period is July 1 2011 to June 30 2012 inclusive.
- Subperiods are July to Oct 2011, Nov 2011 to Feb 2012 and Mar 2012 to June 2012.
- A multiday tournament which spans two periods will be treated for peak
and game count as occurring on the first day.
- The qualifying statistic is Q = (P1 + P2 + 2 x P3)/4 , which is a weighted average of peak ratings in
three subperiods.
- If you play no games rated by ASPA in a period, your peak in that period is equal to the rating
before that period minus 200.
This applies to one period only.
- You must have played at least 60 games rated by ASPA in the qualifying period before the last peak.
The secondary criterion is number of rated games within the qualification period.
If two players have the same Q statistic,
the one with the greater number of rated games in the qualification period is ranked higher.
Etiquette for acceptance
Once the selection process is finished, it is incumbent on team members to
accept their places within a reasonable amount of time.
With regard to competitions where international travel has to be organised,
plus allowing for time for more focussed study,
it would be preferable for team members to accept their places by at least three months prior to the event.
Any issues that may prevent a member from playing in the event should be discussed with CASPA
as soon as reasonably possible after they arise.
Such discussion may include negotiating with the reserve team members as to their ability to replace the team member.
The contenders
The table below shows the notional team as at
22.02.2012 plus 12 more who are almost in.
More details revealed as you move your mouse over the table.
David Eldar (VIC) (currently rated 2104) Peak 1 = 2055−200
Recently processed:
05.02.2012 Kempsey (NSW) New peak for Roberta Tait, Karen Richards
05.02.2012 Ulverstone (TAS) New peak for Khen Meerding, Dianne Brumby, Martin Rose, Helen Metaxas
11.02.2012 WORDS SUMMER (NSW) New peak for Joan Rosenthal, John Holgate, Rod Talbot
12.02.2012 AGM Tournament (QLD) New peak for Alastair Richards, Karen Richards
12.02.2012 CAMBERWELL (VIC) New peak for Trevor Halsall, Anand Bharadwaj
12.02.2012 SA February (SA) New peak for Carmel Dodd, Jane Taylor
19.02.2012 Townsville Summer (QLD) New peak for Anne Drew, Ryan Anderson
Upcoming tournaments:
26.02.2012 Brunswick Valley (QLD),
26.02.2012 Pub Tourney (SA),
26.02.2012 Summer Trisection (WA),
04.03.2012 BUGS (NSW),
04.03.2012 Melbourne Team Challenge (VIC),
10.03.2012 Bomaderry (NSW),
10.03.2012 Redland Bay (NSW),
10.03.2012 SA Champs (2 days) (SA),
17.03.2012 Matchplay Qualifier (NSW),
18.03.2012 Autumn Trisection (WA)