Next tournament in Penrith

The next subbuteo tournament in Penrith will be held on January 12 at the Mega Games shop.
Details at http://www.megagames.com.au/subbuteo.html

Brisbane player in Canada

John Sexton from Brisbane (Queensland) recently attended the WASPA tournament held in Hamilton, Ontario (Canada). John moved from Canada to live in Australia 30 years ago and was on holiday to visit his family. 15 players attended the tournament and John was the only "foreigner". He finished thrid in a group of five and lost in the quarter-final to Stephen McNab (0-1). Peter Sexton John's brother) was the host of the tournament but also the final winner, beating Shaun Burt in the final (2-1).

News from Penrith

The third tournament played under WASPA banner this season was held in Penrith on November 24. Brett Davis won the group stage of six players. Some new faces showed up and the future looks promising for the game. The next event will be held on December 15 at the MEGA GAMES shop in Penrith.

Australian players in the FISTF rankings

In the FISTF rankings of November 2012, Gerald Brightwell is 287th in the veterans section.

Subbuteo TV ad from Italy

Well done subbuteo for launching this TV ad for the italian market and good luck! Buffon, the famous goalkeeper of the italian football team, is part of the show!

Australian players in the world rankings

In the WASPA ranking of October 2012, Eliot Kennedy is now 26th. The other australian players are ranked as follows:
33 Mike Newton (England)
37 Robert Green
62 Brett Davis
67 Jay Porter
106 Steve Dettre
115 Paul Magee
119 Braydan Howell (Bolivia)
142 Aaron Daniels
147 Anthony Ilacqua
154 Cameron Toazell
193 Nic Drage
& Marlon Faner
& Alex Fleig
& Braiden Graw
& Mitchell Schroder

Gerald Brightwell is ranked 293th in the FISTF veterans ranking.

Mike Newton wins in Penrith

Mike Newton won the second tournament played under WASPA banner in Australia. The event was held in Penrith and six players took part. Brett Davis was 2nd, Jay Porter 3rd, Braydan Howell (the first Bolivian player ever) 4th, Aaron Daniels 5th and Anthony Ilacqua 6th. Here is a video with Mike Newton in action!

Australian players in the world rankings

In the FISTF rankings of September, Gerald Brightwell is now 296th in the veterans section.

A great video about subbuteo

WASPA ranking update

Australian players in the WASPA ranking of September 2012
24 Eliot Kennedy 25,00
30 Robert Green 23,50
64 Mike Newton 7,00
84 Steve Dettre 5,80
85 Paul Magee 4,60
86 Jay Porter 4,00
113 Brett Davis 3,40
119 Cameron Toazell 2,80
160 Nic Drage 1,00
160 Marlon Faner 1,00
160 Alex Fleig 1,00
160 Braiden Graw 1,00
160 Mitchell Schroder 1,00
Great to see australian players in a world table again.

3 more tournaments!

3 more tournaments have been added in Penrith, Australia. Don't wiss the chance to play at the Mega Games shop on October 20, November 24 and December 15. For every tournament, the kick-off will take place at 4.00 pm.

Pictures of the tournament held in Penrith

Here are some pictures of the tournament held last saturday in Penrith. Thanks once again to Mega Games for hosting the tournament in their shop. As you can see there were players of all ages so the future looks promising for the game in Australia.

Videos of the tournament in Penrith

Here are 2 videos made by the Mage Games staff during the tournament held last saturday. Enjoy!

Report of the first WASPA tournament held in Penrith

After much searching for a venue and plenty of e-mails Australia ended it's drought of Subbuteo Tourney's, on 15th September 2012 at 4pm it happened at the Mega Games Trader in Penrith. What started as an event with the old hands numbering 6 turned into a frenzey of new player registration's and a total of 12 entrances.

Being my first tourney in charge of organisation I was unsure as to the format and with a few players only having limited time it was decided to run the Swiss format of play. So with 2 mins to kick off and the draw done I felt a tug on my shirt and a young bloke by the name of Mitchell was looking up at me. "Do you mind if I play?" Now Mitchell was our youngest entrant and took our numbers to 13. "No worries mate" was my reply. Mitchell had never played before but asked some questions of the old hats and away he went into the world of Subbuteo, very impressive as well when you find out the kid has just come from a Basketball grand final and won.

So with me taking the bye to allow the new blood of Subbuteo to join in we were away.

Round 1 saw some great results as we all knocked the rust off our flicking fingers and the Subbuteo new guard watched and played and learned what they could from some of the best players Australia has to offer.

Round 2 saw some more great games and some of the newer players starting to get the hang of play and tactics.

Round 3 and the action was heating up for the 1st Australian WASPA Tourney Champion, with Eliot Kennedy and Robert Green putting in some great results.

Round 4 and it all came down to this if Robert Green or Mike Newton could get a victory then everlasting glory was theirs with Eliot Kennedy able to snatch a victory if he flogged the pants off of me. Rob and Mike played and Rob took victory 1-0 in a great game to watch. Now the last game was on between Eliot and myself. After a tense 20 minutes the game was over and Eliot had taught me how to play Subbuteo with some killer shots. I got one shot off but it hit the crossbar and went out final score 6-0 I had crumbled like a cookie and Eliot had snatched a victory from under everyones noses.

So at the end of the day the top 3 were:
1. Eliot Kennedy
2. Robert Green
3. Mike Newton
Encouragement Award. Mitchell Schroder (our youngest and newest player but held his own well)

I would like to thank alot of people as well Christine and Manuel for all the support and help they gave me in getting this up and running, from an email from a mate when he saw Subbuteo in the window to Australia first WASPA event. You guys allowed us to play at the store (Mega Games Trader, Penrith) and invade you with our big boards even when they had a big day on as well, our Tourney was on the same day as the stores 20th Birthday.

To Crown and Andrews, Don Rainbow and Gerry Crown who organised prizes for the day and use of their demo table, and a big thank you to Don who turned up to support us on the day. The representative from Crown and Andrews, Jill Forgan, who really did some behind the scences work with Mega Games to get prizes there on.

To the players old and new thanks for coming and helping me get this game on the map again in Australia, your support and approachability made the day really special. Subbuteo new crew keep flicking guys and see you in the league! I got thrashed a couple of times and took the worst beating of the day but my smile wouldn't leave my face because we were FLICKING!

To WASPA for allowing us to come under the banner for our Tourney and the lure of world rankings got us going and new players excited.

Manuel and Christine and myself talked alot about forming a club and running Regional Tourneys every month, we have big plans and I am looking forward to seeing this grow!

To you the reader, find a store that has Subbuteo in it and run a tourney if you are lucky you will find people as helpful and excited about Subbuteo as I did, where ever you are Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth or where ever because I can tell you now Penrith is here to stay and looking for interstate challenges!

Regards,

Brett Davis
Emu Heights Bundesliga TFC

Subbuteo Australia on Facebook!

Brett Davis has just launched a new page for subbuteo fans in Australia on Facebook. Feel free to join now at http://www.facebook.com/SubbuteoAustralia

Ready for the show!

The forthcoming tournament to be played under WASPA banner is going to be very promising since a lot of new players have been introduced to the game by the owners of the Megam Games shop in Penrith. Many friendly games were played on friday night and this will hopefully boost interest for the tournament.

Australian players in the world rankings

In the FISTF World ranking of August 2012, Robert Smith is 547th in the open category. Gerald Brightwell is 303rd in the veterans section.
Robert Green is 48th in the WASPA ranking of August.

A venue is found for the tournament in September

Brett Davis is coming back with good news as he has found a venue for the tournament. It is at the Mega Games Trader at 388 High Street Penrith. They are selling the game there so were more than happy for us to have the tournament to show people what the game is like. Our start time is 4.00pm as well, the only thing Brett would need some help with is equipment, he has one board and soon to be two but he doesn't think his metal goals will be here on time for the day.
The tournament will count for the WASPA circuit (see link at http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com).
The Mega games website is http://www.megagames.com.au/
The tournament could be the first step to create a new club in the area.
Contact: Brett Davis at wolfden@bigpond.net.au

Club in Melbourne

Adam Deverell, who is a new player, is trying to get players together. Adam lives in the Western Suburbs and can be reached at 0417147127 or by e-mail at adamdeverell@optusnet.com.au

Hopefully there will be a tournament in Melbourne soon!

Finally a tournament in the agenda

Brett Davis (wolfden@bigpond.net.au) has announced he will be hosting a tournament on September 15. Some details need to be arranged but at least there is a date. Peter Thomas, the winner of the last tournament held in Australia more than two years ago, has already showed interest to take part.

Well done Australia!

Anna Mearis, gold medal in the women's sprint in cycling

Congratulations to the Australian Olympic team for bringing back 35 medals from the London Olympics. You made us proud!

Australian players in the world ranking

In the FISTF open ranking of July 2012, Robert Smith is now 539th. Gerald Brightwell is 302nd in the veterans ranking.

Gerald Brightwell in action in England

Gerald Brightwell recently took part in the ESTFA tournament held in Leicester. The event was played in swiss format and twelve players were involved. Gerald had some good games, beating Greg Sammons (3-0), Sharing points with Elliott Bellefontaine (1-1), losing to Ireland top player Mark Farrell (0-5) and winning against Brian Kinrade (1-0). At the end, Gerald took the 5th position. Here is the final ranking:
1. Mark Farrell 10 16 - 3
2. Sam Curtis 10 8 - 3
3. Martin Bellafontaine 7 9 - 4
4. Elliott Bellafontaine 7 10 - 7
5. Gerald Brightwell 7 5 - 6
6. Russ Harker 6 5 - 1
7. Colin Tarry 4 9 - 7
8. Brian Kinrade 4 2 - 3
9. Greg Sammons 4 4 - 7
10. Ashley Harker 4 3 - 8
11. Brett Price 2 3 - 8
12. Thomas Price 1 2 - 11

Australian players in the world rankings

In the Open section of the FISTF ranking of June 2012, Robert Smith (Rochefort TS) is now 546th. In the veterans table, Gerald Brightwell (West London TFC) is 299th.

Australian players in the WASPA ranking

In the WASPA ranking of June, Robert Green is now 34th. Australia is now 11th in the WASPA ranking of nations with 22 points. The top 3 nations are Malta (167), Belgium (154) and Singapore (144).

www.subbuteo.com is online

Our friends from SUBBUTEO have officially launched their website at www.subbuteo.com

There are tips for new players, a list of available products and even the list of retailers. The game is currently available in Portugal, the UK, Spain, Italy, Singapore and Australia. Many more nations should have distributors soon.

Crown & Andrews Pty Ltd (http://www.crownandandrews.com/) is the official retailer for Australia and their website is showing the available products at http://www.crownandandrews.com/games/index-family-games.php

Hopefully this will help to get a lot of new players interested in the beautiful game.

Australian players in the world rankings

In the FISTF world rankings of May 2012, Robert Smith is 383th in the Open category. Gerald Brightwell is 306th in the veterans table.

Good chance for a subbuteo tournament in Sydney this winter

Brett Davis recently had an update as to the state of Subbuteo at the moment dead as a door nail, saw a lot of comments on the subbuteo Australia blog and upsetting but like all things I think it can be salvaged (he's a glass half full kind of guy). "I keep checking the Crown and Andrews website to see if it is out as yet but nothing is here. So I rang Crown and Andrews to find out. The game has been ordered and is coming to Australia. They have also ordered the extra sets as well eg referee's, ball sets and extra teams. I have set up a meeting with Crown and Andrews to see the game as soon as it lands and also to see if there is a way that my email address can be included in a slip of paper or something to let people know about clubs in Australia. I am hoping to set up a database of contact details like Robert was doing but with the purchase of new games means new blood and new clubs. I hope this is possible as with a central location of data we won't be in the dark from each other and new clubs will know about other clubs as well hopefully a return to inter club games", added Brett.


"I have also been invited on the Sunday 10th June and Monday 11th June to display Subbuteo at the Toy and Game Expo http://www.toyandgameexpo.com.au/index.php/whats-on/learn-to-play at the learn and play area. I will be taking some forms to get interested peoples details to add to the database here also. I think this will be a great thing to get the game out especially now Crown and Andrews are on board and if they can add contact details even better for us and the club scene.


I have spoken to Hubertus Country Club at 205 Adams Road Luddenham (a club I am a member of) and to see if they are willing to give us a room for league nights and tournements. Karen the lady there see's no problem with this and I am writing a proposal to this effect for the board. If this can become a reality then we will have a place to play with access to nice dinning and bar facilities.


Which brings me to my next point, about time for a tournement I am thinking August/September any dates that suit the bulk of us? Also a time to start if it can be late afternoon to night I am ok with that so as people can take kids to sport etc, I will have to confirm with the club exactly but all I need to do is drop off the proposal for the board to vote on (she let me know as it is not costing the club any money they should be fine and they might get a few more new members as well so win win I think.)


That's about it I am not ready for this great game to die and I am truely hoping and praying that with Subbuteo in shops again and my details in the box we can get new clubs up and running here again and make Australia the power house I know it can be."

Some players sent a positive feedback. Mike Newton is keen to play if we can get an event organised of any size, shape or form. He is likely to move to Sydney in a couple of months which could make it easier.

Simon from www.subbuteoz.com also keen to get playing again if we can organise it, if possible in September.

Paul Magee and Dominic Grenot are also ready to play in August or September, just like Steve Dettre who will be available after the Olympics.

Hopefully Eliot Kennedy will be available as well, just like Robert Green who will be back from Stockholm (Sweden) for his sister's 50th. Robert should be available between September 14 and September 25.

All this will be confirmed soon and a date will be set in the near future.

A big change for the WASPA circuit

There were a lot of comments in the last few days about the possible change to have WASPA tournaments with only three players instead of four. A mail has been sent to several tournaments organizers and players and, apart from two people who didn't really know if a change like this would be a good thing, everyone gave support. The idea is not to lower the standards of organisation but just to help smaller associations and isolated groups of players. In countries such as Australia, Canada or the US, it's difficult to get players together for a tournament because of the long distances between cities. Also, in the last few months some tournaments were held with only three players. Despite of the efforts made by the local organizers to have something great, the tournaments could not count for the WASPA ranking and archives. Hopefully the change will motivate more clubs and players to organize tournaments under WASPA banner. The idea is to have more nations involved in the near future. The decision is therefore taken with immediate effect.

For more details about the WASPA circuit, take a look at http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com/ 

Gerald Brightwell is also in the FISTF rankings

We may have forgotten to mention that Gerald Brightwell is also in the FISTF rankings. Gerald doesn't appear in the open section but he will be in the veterans table at the end of the month. For those who don't know hiw, Gerald is born in Melbourne, Australia but later moved to Malta and now lives in London. He took part in the FISTF Open of Knighton (Wales) this saturday and lost in the semi-final of the plate tournament. He also finished third in a group of four players in the main event. Gerald plays at the Plumstead club in London, which meets once a month for a local tournament.

Jean Carl Tabone, Vincent Mifsud, Gerald Brightwell and Derek Conti in a recent subbuteo evening at the Valletta Subbuteo Club in Malta

Australia in the different rankings of April 2012

There are not many names involved in international subbuteo. In the FISTF ranking, Robert Smith is now 396th in the Open category. More than 1170 players are involved in the rankings.

In the WASPA ranking, there are only 154 players involved. Robert Green is ranked 30th. Australia is also in 11th position in the WASPA ranking of nations.

What about the game in Australia?

The last few months (and years) have been difficult for the game in Australia. I recently got some reactions from different players all over the country and some points are really interesting.

Myron Shipp says: "the game has collapsed in Australia. FISTF are thinking of dropping us as only Robert Smith is in the rankings and he doesn't live in Australia. Brett tried to get a tournament going in Sydney with no takers and I tried to get one going at Cancon (Australias biggest games convention) and didn't get one entry. I am going to put on a display game at Bugle Call in June and if that doesn't attract 4 players to a competition I may give up and just play with who ever I can find through the club link. I hope when the game is released in Australia a few more will do internet searches and find me. A player recently got in touch after seeing my name on the blog but he just wanted to donate his stuff to the club so now I have more stuff to not play with."

Steve Dettre also insisted on the fact he's still interested to compete but his time as an organizer is over. Steve tried to get both his boys interested but they have been grabbed by a different 'bug'.... Warhammer (Games Workshop). "They model, paint and play. The emphasis in competitions is on sportsmanship, involvement etc. in tournaments. You can win a tournament without winning all your matches. As a parent, the emphasis on sportsmanship, the extremely detailed "player packs" with pre-tournament information and rules etc are way ahead of what we ever did in subbuteo. There's an emphasis on training, guidance etc by older players too. I still love the game of table soccer and a few of us get together for beer and subbuteo, but I have no clue what's happening with the others."

Eliot Kennedy didn't know Robert Smith is back in the UK: "Without him here maybe things will not happen in a hurry, but you never know. Bob Green is in Australia at the moment for a visit - I am in Malaysia for work this week so may not get to see him. But he mentioned he will be back in September for another visit so you never know, maybe we can get a tournament to happen for his visit."

Finally, Mike Newton also reacted: "I hope we will see some action here soon, I have forgotten what my index finger is for! On a different subject, I keep seeing things from FISTF that look like some real improvements. Obviously the game going back into the shops is good news but there seems to be improvements all round with regular meeting, skype meetings, invitations to various nations to have their say at the meetings."

Hopefully there will be some developments once the gameis available again in the shops. let's hope there will be some more players interested to play.

Robert Smith is still there!

It's been two years already since the last tournament took place in Australia. The FISTF Challenger of Sydney was organized on March 20th, 2010 and as world ranking keep the records of the last 2 years of activity, it means most australian players have now left the ranking. Robert Smith, who lives now in Great-Britain, is the only australian plaer in the FISTF table. He's now 395th (he was 271st last month). So hopefully there will be some more tournaments in the near future. otherwise Australia might disappear of the FISTF map.

Subbuteo is available again in the UK

Today is the official launch day for the new subbuteo range at the famous store Hamleys in London. The official launch of the iconic sports game takes place at 10.30 on the 5th floor with four top England under 12 table football players demonstrating the beautiful game!

Subbuteo is also available now in UK stores nationwide including Toys R Us, John Lewis (Oxford Street in London), selected Waterstones and Toymaster branches...

This is the new AUSTRALIA subbuteo team

Well done to the makers of the new subbuteo range for preparing a brand new Australia kit for the local market. Can't wait to find some of these in the shops!

Australian players in the FISTF world rankings

In the FISTF world ranking of February 2012: 271 SMITH Robert 49,28 619 THOMAS Peter 12,00 875 KENNEDY Eliot 4,80 1009 CREDENTINO Tony 2,40 1010 DETTRE Steve 2,40 1116 BALL Jon 1,20 1117 GANNON Scott 1,20 1118 PALAMARA John 1,20 1119 NEWTON Mike 1,20

Excellent news for Subbuteo in Australia

The game Subbuteo will soon be back in the shops. The Netcam company, that recently managed to get the rights of the game from Hasbro, has just anounced that Crown & Andrews (http://www.crownandandrews.com/) will be the distributor of the game in Australia. More news will follow soon!

Australian players in the FISTF world rankings

The FISTF world ranking of January has just been released. The australian players are still involved. 271 SMITH Robert 630 THOMAS Peter 890 KENNEDY Eliot 1026 CREDENTINO Tony 1027 DETTRE Steve 1129 BALL Jon 1130 GANNON Scott 1131 PALAMARA John 1132 NEWTON Mike More on www.fistf.com