South African Bonsai Association New Talent

Competition Protocol:

 

1. Vision:

A fair and transparent bonsai styling competition for artists with less than 10 years’ experience.

 

1. Mission:

To run a world quality competition amongst new talent bonsai people.

 

1. Rules:  

 

3.1. General

1. The first stage of this competition will be carried out at club level.  Two finalists from each club competition will go forward to the regional finals. Two finalists from the region will go forward to the national finals to be held at the SABA annual convention or other pre-arranged venue. Here they will compete for the Rudi Adams Trophy. Should any of the winners withdraw from the various competition stages their place may be taken by the third placed and SABA notified in advance. The first two stages of the competition are entirely up to the clubs and Regional clubs as to how and when they hold their competitions provided they submit the new talent entry by the prescribed date.  

2. The following regions may enter two (2) participants each. If a region is not sending any participants or not using two, it may be taken up by another region upon request.

   1. Bonsai Regional Association Transvaal (BRAT)

   2. Cape Regional Bonsai Association (CRAB)

   3. Kwazulu Natal

   4. Border

   5. Eastern Cape

   6. Central (OFS)

3. South African Bonsai Association (SABA) who will use predetermined and standardized criteria however, will control the final stage.

4. All entries to reach SABA at least 1 month before the convention.

5. The finals will be held at the same time as the annual SABA convention or other pre agreed venue

6. Competition duration is four (4) hours.

7. Contestants will style their tree in a secluded part of the venue.

8. A minimum of six (6) entrants are required and SABA reserves the right not to hold the competition if there is not enough entrants.

9. No communication or contact between the participants and the public, mentors or judges is permitted.

 

1. Participants

 

1. Participants may not have been involved in bonsai for more than ten (10) years.

2. Must be a SABA member of good standing and belong to a SABA affiliated club.

3. Previous winners of trophy are not eligible to enter again. This is to be certified by the Regional Clubs Executives.

4. The regional committee must enter the participants in the national competition.

5. Financial support from the clubs and/or Region can be given to the contestants to defray expenses.

6. Travel, accommodation and convention fees are for the participants’ account.

7. Participants must supply their own tools, wire, raffia/synthetic tape and or turntables.

8. The participants may ask for the score sheets.

9. Participants of each region must be prepared to attend the finals at the convention or pre-arranged venue.

 

1. Judges

 

1. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

2. A panel of judges will be appointed by the SABA EXCO and will not be less than three (3) or more than five (5). If international Demonstrators are present, they will form part of the team.

3. Judges will inspect the raw stock, beforehand to confirm all are of similar quality and if not allow a predetermined preference for a poor quality tree.  They must then be present at the trophy presentation and give a summary of the basis for their decision.

4. Judges shall not know who has worked on which tree.

5. SABA will appoint a sub-committee that will supervise during the competition.

6. The SABA Scoresheet will be used to determine the final score.  The average score will decide the winner and the judges' decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

7. The judges’ names will not be divulged to the participants prior to the competition. 

8. If there is a draw the following will transpire:

   1. If two (2) participants are placed first, the judges will re-evaluate their trees and pick a winner. The runner-up will be placed second. Second place will be placed third.

   2. If two (2) participants are placed second, the judges will re-evaluate their trees. The winner of the two (2) will be placed second and the runner-up will be placed third.  

   3. If two (2) participants are placed third, the judges will re-evaluate their trees and pick a winner. The winner will be placed in third position. The previous third place will fall out.

 

1. Material

 

1. SABA will supply the trees and ensure uniformity.

2. Species for SABA New Talent competition will always be Juniper procumbence nana, unless unobtainable, then another species will be selected.

3. Trees must be numbered.

4. Photographs must be taken of each tree before the competition.

5. Participants will draw numbers and trees allocated accordingly.

6. No repotting of tree, adding of driftwood, moss or any other item.

7. No burners will be allowed.

8. No power tools will be allowed.

9. Tree can be styled in any style.

10. Participants may place the bag at an angle.

11. Participants must indicate the front of the tree.

12. Cellphones may not be used during the competition.

13. Once a participant has declared that he/she is finished and leaves the room, they may not return or make amendments to the tree.

14. Photographs must be taken of each tree after the participant had declared completion.