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 2010, the competition will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand from Saturday 14th August to Monday 16th
August.
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.
Note that for 2010, unlike earlier events, selection is based entirely on ratings, with
no concession for being top of one's state.
The three peaks Q statistic
The primary criterion for ranking candidates is the Q statistic calculated like this:
- The qualification period is July 1 2009 to
June 30 2010 June 14 2010 inclusive.
- Subperiods are July to Oct 2009, Nov 2009 to Feb 2010 and Mar 2010 to June 2010.
- 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 and not the final period.
- 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
28.06.2010 plus 12 more who are almost in.
More details revealed as you move your mouse over the table.
Candidates who are unavailable:
Andrew Fisher,Naween Fernando,Joanne Craig,Peter Kougi,Trevor Halsall,Joan Rosenthal,Daniel Piechnick,Simon Walton,John Holgate,Glenys Lawrie,Geoff Wright,Edie Mueller,Carmel Dodd,Tony Hunt,Heather Long,Helen Maurus,David Eldar,Julian McKail,Chris May,Michael Cameron,Alistair Kane,Russell Honeybun,Graham Bell
Recently processed:
30.05.2010 Revesby (NSW) New peak for Mark Smith
05.06.2010 WOYWOY 2010 (NSW)
06.06.2010 Prince Patrick 3 (VIC) New peak for Lois Binnie
06.06.2010 WA CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 (WA) New peak for Chris Hall
12.06.2010 Vic Champs (VIC) New peak for Graeme Lock Lee, Norma Fisher
12.06.2010 Woomba Wound Wobins (QLD) New peak for Jane Brown
14.06.2010 Queen's Birthday (VIC)
THE QUALIFICATION PERIOD HAS NOW ENDED.