World English
Scrabble Players Association

by Elie Dangoor
(WESPA Chairman)

We are a global umbrella for World English-language Scrabble, and most of our members are national associations. Here are some of the things we've been up to...

We've got most countries playing to the same Scrabble Dictionary, Collins Official Scrabble Dictionary, apart from North America mainly, where most of their players are against using a combined word list and therefore play to their own dictionary, whereas we have adopted their words as well.

We have recently formulated a new set of Scrabble Rules, steered mainly by an Australian called Chris May. These rules were in force during the 2009 World Scrabble Championship, held at the end of November in Malaysia.

We have a new Ratings Committee, steered mainly by Stewart Holden from England, but living in Northern Ireland, looking into what players want from our rating system and whether it can be improved.

Karen Richards, who heads our Youth Committee, holds a World Youth Scrabble Championship every year, and this will also be held in Malaysia, in December, with participants from several different countries.

In 2010 there is a WESPA European Open to be held in Malta, which has proved very popular as a destination for Scrabble players, due to their hospitality and wonderful climate.

Please visit our WESPA website, where you can find out more about our future plans and achievements so far.

Regards

Elie

P.S. Feel free to click on the Comments field below to ask us a question about WESPA or to tell us what you think.