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 2014, the competition will be held in Wellington, New Zealand from October 31 to November 2.
The New Zealand team is
Blue Thorogood,
Howard Warner,
Nick Cavenagh,
Joanne Craig,
Lyres Freeth,
Peter Sinton,
Mike Sigley,
John Foster,
Patrick Carter,
Liz Fagerlund,
Scott Chaput,
Lynne Butler
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 2013 to June 30 2014 inclusive.
- Subperiods are July to Oct 2013, Nov 2013 to Feb 2014 and Mar 2014 to June 2014.
- 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
15.09.2014 plus 20 more who are almost in.
Note that Joanne Craig plays for New Zealand.
Selection has now finished. Bob Jackman is contacting people to
finalise acceptances.
More details revealed as you move your mouse over the table.
Naween Fernando (VIC) (currently rated 2017) Peak 3 = 1958−200
Candidates who are unavailable:
Alastair Richards,Andrew Fisher,Daniel Piechnick,Edward Okulicz,Peter Kougi,Cameron Farlow,Richard Jeremy,Trevor Halsall,Joanne Craig,Michael McKenna,Michael Cameron,Ryan Anderson,Mythili Rudra,John Holgate,Trevor Tao,Nick Ivanovski,Geoff Wright,Edie Mueller,Ryan Sutton,Joan Rosenthal,Helen Maurus,Heather Long
Too few games
Anand Bharadwaj (VIC) 54 games
Simon Walton (NSW) 11 games