2012 City of Sydney International Masters

28 & 29 January

 

The City of Sydney Masters is one of the oldest events on the Australian Scrabble Calendar. In 1999 it went international and was won by Nigel Richards. Since that time the $1000 first place prizemoney has been maintained, but  mainly only Australians have contested the event. This year Scrabble NSW has raised the first place prizemoney to $2400 and in doing so automatically qualified the event to be internationally rated.

Overseas and interstate visitors to Sydney can enjoy the Festival of Sydney celebrations beforehand, including the Great Ferry Boat Race on Sydney Harbour on Australia Day (Jan 26th). For those wishing to stay on, there is a weekend tournament at Kempsey on the mid-north coast of New South Wales the following weekend.

This is the biggest prizemoney event ever held in Australia in the most popular playing venue. Your attendance can help make this a truly memorable tournament.


Venue

The playing venue is the Birdwood Room on Level 2 of the Bankstown Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown. Parking is available under the venue for those driving, while accommodation over the venue is in the form of the Bankstown Travelodge (see Accommodation Options).

There are several restaurants and eateries within the club, and the playing area is adjacent to luxuriant surroundings. For further information about the club, see www.bankstownsports.com

Qualification

  • Australian players need to be rated over 1000 at time of entry
  • Overseas players are eligible regardless of rating

Tournament Format

  • 20 games - 11 on Saturday and 9 on Sunday
  • Repeat pairings on day 2
  • 25 minutes per player per game
  • Challenge Rule - 5 points per challenge
  • CSW12 word source
  • Director - Wilma Vialle
  • WESPA Rules with exception below
  • Recounts in player's own time
  • Internationally and Australian rated

Entry Fee

  • Entry fee: $100 AUD

Payment can be made on the day, or for Australian residents by transfer into Account Name: Australian Scrabble Player’s Association (NSW Division); BSB: 062 022; Account Number: 10011176; quoting your name and CSIM 2012.

Please note the entry fee does not cover meals within the club.

Prizemoney**

All prizes are listed in Australian dollars.

  • First Prize $2400
  • Second Prize: $750
  • Third Prize: $360
  • Fourth Prize: $200
  • Fifth Prize: $120
  • High local rating gain by an Australian: $240
  • Best placing by an overseas Player: $240
  • High Word: $120
  • High Game: $120

**The above prizemoney is based on 60 players. Scrabble NSW reserves the right to reduce prizemoney in proportion to the actual number of players.

Accommodation

We recommend you stay at the venue, within the Travelodge Hotel which forms part of the complex. A special rate has been negotiated for Scrabble players of $130 per room for one or two persons, or $170 per room for three people. Initial enquiries can be done by email to tbnk@travelodge.com.au, being sure to quote "Scrabble Masters' in order to receive the discount.

More information about Travelodge Bankstown, including an online booking option, can be obtained at www.travelodge.com.au

  • Phone: Travelodge (61 2) 97930000, or 1300 886886 if within Australia.

    If you do not wish to stay at the venue, The Narwee Hotel is relatively close by. Single rooms there are $80 per night with continental breakfast, while twin rooms are $120 with breakfast . Buses run to Bankstown from Narwee, while the cost of a taxi would be about $20.
  • Phone: Narwee Hotel 9533 3088

    Some billets may be available for the event. Enquiries about billeting should be directed to the organiser, Bob Jackman, by email.

Transport Options

For players travelling from the airport, the cost of a taxi to the Bankstown Sports Club  is around $60.

A second option would be to go by train to Padstow, then taxi to the venue for around $25 in total.

There is a shuttle that runs to Bankstown called Aerobus. Players would need to contact the proprietor Jim Sexton on 0407 411003 one or two days before pickup time to obtain a quote and organise pickup.

For players travelling from the city, trains to Bankstown depart from Central Station on a regular basis.

Playing Schedule

Saturday - 28 January 2012

    • Registration 8.15 - 8.45am
    • 9am - 10.50am - Games 1 & 2
    • Morning tea
    • 11.10am - 1pm - Games 3 & 4
    • Lunch
    • 2pm - 6.50pm - Games 5 to 9
    • Dinner
    • 8pm - 9.50 pm - Games 10 & 11

Sunday - 29 January 2012

  • 9am - 10.50am - Games 12 &13
  • Morning tea
  • 11.10am - 1pm - Games 14 &15
  • Lunch
  • 2pm - 6.50pm - Games 16 to 20
  • Presentation: 7.15pm

Registration for The City of Sydney International Masters 2012

Registrations closed on January 23rd.