See the Best in Australia and the World - Women's Pinball Championships (and a Player Feature Teaser!)

Helena Walter is your IFPA Women's World Pinball Champion for 2017.

Two events almost back to back that celebrate and promote women in pinball - and they can't get any bigger than these! The IFPA Women's World Pinball Championships just completed in the USA with Helena Walter taking 1st place. And the upcoming Australian Women's Pinball Championships on the Gold Coast on March 31st.

Game the System is very proud to have contributed to the IFPA Women's World Pinball Championships prize pool as diversifying and therefore growing the sport is one of our goals. So it is with great pleasure to see that the championship was live streamed on Twitch, and garnered great support and attention from the community and widespread media.

The fun continues past the World Championships though, and soon - March 31st to be exact - we will see Australia's very first Women's Championship, and we can't wait to see who is crowned the first Australian number 1 women's pinball player! As of the 17th March there are a massive 22 players registered for this inaugural tournament:

1. Hollie Mills
2. Esther Ahronheim
3. Naiomi Goodwin
4. Kirsty Watt
5. Irene Watt
6. Dana Pepcak
7. Michelle Clark
8. Vicki Wills
9. Mel Geeves
10. Chelle McIntyre
11. Lee Hutchinson
12. Christine Allgaier
13. Leolie Bayley
14. Shellie Mills
15. Alana Kelly
16. Michelle Wykes
17. Emily Cosson
18. Tanya Lowe
19. Sarah Bishop
20. Evelyn Singh
21. Cheryl Wright
22. Carole Quinn

To compliment the excitement and build up of this event, Game the System will soon be posting our 5th Player Feature, and while we can't give too much away until we are ready, we can at least say that it is indeed one of the incredible players on the above list! Would you like a hint? How about a teaser with the photo below!?

The countdown to the 31st is on!

Franck Bona Wins the System 11 World Pinball Championship in Auckland New Zealand

Another big feather to add to the French European Champion's cap, Franck sweeps the field again and wins the System 11 World Championship! 

Tim Chapman from Sydney takes out 2nd place, and Richard Rhodes from Melbourne 3rd. 

In the Classics tournament held the same day, Grant Stephens takes 1st place, Adam Corner 2nd, and Danielle Peck 3rd.

Day 4 Running Updates - The Asia Pacific Pinball and Arcade Event of the Year - Pincade!

Update 7:40pm - Franck Bona wins the System 11 World Championship. Tim Chapman 2nd and Richard Rhodes 3rd.

The New Zealand Pincade, already legendary across the world as the largest Pinball and Arcade gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, is on again and celebrating it's tenth anniversary!

This is but one of the many game rooms attendees will get to experience during Pincade 10.

The schedule is packed across four days in Auckland, including various game room visits in the city and surrounds, as well as major world ranked tournaments that will test the locals and international competitors alike. Here's what's in store for the 146 registered attendees.

Day 1 - Two game room tours and a 3 strikes tournament

Day 2 - Two game room tours

Day 3 - Three game room tours and a pingolf tournament

Day 4 - The System 11 World Pinball Championships, and a Classics tournament

Stay tuned to this post as we update as photos and stories come to hand!

The System 11 World Championship final qualifying standings with top 32 going through:

And the Classics Tournament: 

Richard Rhodes Wins the Pincade Pingolf Tournament!

The tournament went all day and across two venues in Auckland New Zealand. But after the dust settled, Richard Rhodes took out the final in a game he has his name on in the credits - Scared Stiff! Well done to Richard.​

Marc Bell finished 2nd, and Simon Haxton 3rd. Steve Edwards rounds out the top 4.​

Day 3 Running Updates - The Asia Pacific Pinball and Arcade Event of the Year - Pincade!

The New Zealand Pincade, already legendary across the world as the largest Pinball and Arcade gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, is on again and celebrating it's tenth anniversary!

The schedule is packed across four days in Auckland, including various game room visits in the city and surrounds, as well as major world ranked tournaments that will test the locals and international competitors alike. Here's what's in store for the 146 registered attendees.

Day 1 - Two game room tours and a 3 strikes tournament

Day 2 - Two game room tours

Day 3 - Three game room tours and a pingolf tournament

Day 4 - The System 11 World Pinball Championships, and a Classics tournament

Stay tuned to this post as we update as photos and stories come to hand!

Day 2 Running Updates - The Asia Pacific Pinball and Arcade Event of the Year - Pincade!

The New Zealand Pincade, already legendary across the world as the largest Pinball and Arcade gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, is on again and celebrating it's tenth anniversary!

The schedule is packed across four days in Auckland, including various game room visits in the city and surrounds, as well as major world ranked tournaments that will test the locals and international competitors alike. Here's what's in store for the 146 registered attendees.

Day 1 - Two game room tours and a 3 strikes tournament

Day 2 - Two game room tours

Day 3 - Three game room tours and a pingolf tournament

Day 4 - The System 11 World Pinball Championships, and a Classics tournament

Stay tuned to this post as we update as photos and stories come to hand!

Franck Bona Wins the Pincade 3 Strikes Tournament

Richard Rhodes finished 2nd, and Simon Haxton comes 3rd.  Danielle Peck comes in 4th.

Day 1 Running Updates - The Asia Pacific Pinball and Arcade Event of the Year - Pincade!

The New Zealand Pincade, already legendary across the world as the largest Pinball and Arcade gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, is on again and celebrating it's tenth anniversary!

This is but one of the many game rooms attendees will get to experience during Pincade 10.

The schedule is packed across four days in Auckland, including various game room visits in the city and surrounds, as well as major world ranked tournaments that will test the locals and international competitors alike. Here's what's in store for the 146 registered attendees.

Day 1 - Two game room tours and a 3 strikes tournament

Day 2 - Two game room tours

Day 3 - Three game room tours and a pingolf tournament

Day 4 - The System 11 World Pinball Championships, and a Classics tournament

Stay tuned to this post as we update as photos and stories come to hand!

Day 1 Updates! 

We arrived in New Zealand! Too late for the first tournament but who cares. It's time to enjoy high rise Pinball in Auckland.

Yep this is Auckland alright. 

Updated with Full Results - France's Franck Bona Wins the Coogee 2017 Pinball HQ Marathon

* Updated 28th February - Full results added

The two time European Pinball Champion, and currently ranked 48th in the world, Franck Bona from France sweeps the Australian competition and wins the 2017 Pinball HQ Marathon.

Franck Bona 1st place (right, eyes closed thinking about how much beer he can buy with that money), Paul Jones 2nd (left) and Richard Rhodes 3rd (centre).

Our locals did give him a good run for his money though, with IFPA World Championships representative Paul Jones coming 2nd, and former Australian ranked number 1 Richard Rhodes finishing 3rd. Full results will be reported as they come to hand.

Full results:

1 Franck Bona
2 Paul Jones
3 Richard Rhodes
4 Greg Gee
5 Paul Higginbotham
6 Pat Nichols
7 Paul Reid
8 Brett Goodwin
9 Greg McMahon
10 Naiomi Goodwin
11 Andrew Waszkiewicz
12 Matthew Venables
13 Gavin Drogemuller
14 Mark Tibbetts
15 Michelle Clark
16 Dejan Golja
17 Andrew Ferguson
18 Zac Veron
19 Reon Seeney
20 Peter Menzel
21 Duncan MacDonald
22 Aaron Crichton
23 Michael Morrison
24 Lindsay Dawtrey
25 Martin Snicer
26 William Gill
27 Regan Rist
28 Ian Hooper-Richardson
29 Lisa Conroy
30 Daniel Barden
31 Rod Brooks
32 Larissa Goscombe
33 Chrysanthe Psychogios
34 John Arena
35 Ralphe Nunn
36 Josh Goscombe
37 Angus Macarthur
38 Jett Reid
39 Norbert Snicer
40 George Alexandrou
41 Nicholas Little
42 Cherryl Brooks
43 Kerby Reid
44 Glen Crowe
45 Jamie Brodrick
46 Dominic Rogers
47 Ken Owen
48 Zdenka Snicer

Paul Jones Awarded Top Qualifier at Pinball HQ Marathon 2017

The top 24 finalists at the currently running Pinball HQ Marathon has been locked in, and the top qualifier award goes to Paul Jones!

Paul Jones receives the trophy for top qualifier at the Pinball HQ Marathon 2017.

An incredibly tough field including big names such as Richard Rhodes and Franck Bona, an even more amazing achievement for Paul considering that the Marathon allows for unlimited qualifying scores for an entire week. Well done to Paul Jones and good luck to the 24 finalists who will be battling it out all day today!

Updated Finals Standings! Meet the Marathon Pinball Players for 2017 - Pinball HQ Marathon Qualifying on Now!

* Updated Sunday 26th for finals

The Pinball HQ Marathon, now in it's 4th year, is on again with qualifying taking place all week! It's not just called a Marathon for the sake of sounding exhaustive - if you wish to qualify you will have your endurance tested as competitors attempt to get within the top 24 finalists by posting scores all week, 11am to late every day. Not only that, but there are 16 different pinball machines you have to register scores on. I'm tired just thinking about it...

Norbert Snicer awarding the first Endurance Medal to Jett Reid, the first under 15 year old to play all 16 qualifying machines. Photo from the Pinball HQ Facebook page.

There will be the usual prizes, cash and trophies for the top finishers for the event. However, in addition, there are a swathe of prizes given out to competitors including; highest ranked rookie, highest rank qualifier, highest ranked female player, highest ranked under 15 year old, highest ranked under 10 year old, and an endurance medal for all players under the age of 15 who play all of the 16 qualifying machines! Norbert, the organiser of the Marathon, has really pulled out all stops for this tournament.

Fresh out of the shipping container - Aerosmith is Stern Pinball's latest machine, and not only is it part of the Pinball HQ Marathon tournament, but it's the only one currently in the country! Photo from the Pinball HQ Facebook page.

It's Thursday morning as of this writing, and so we are well into the qualifying stages. Here are your qualifying leaders so far, with two days left to go before finals on Sunday!

* Updated finals standings - Top 24 are through for today's main event.

1    PAUL JONES
2    RICHARD RHODES
3    FRANCK BONA
4    PAT NICHOLS
5    BRETT GOODWIN
6    PAUL REID
7    GAVIN DROGEMULLER
8    MATTHEW VENABLES
9    GREG GEE
10    ANDREW FERGUSON
11    ZAC VERON
12    REON SEENEY
13    GREG McMAHON
14    MARK TIBBETTS
15    NAIOMI GOODWIN
15    MICHELLE CLARK
17    DEJAN GOLJA
18    DUNCAN MACDONALD
19    PAUL HIGGINBOTHAM
20    MICHAEL MORRISON
21    REGAN RIST
21    ANDREW WASZKIEWICZ
23    PETER MENZEL
24    AARON CRICHTON
25    LINDSAY DAWTREY
26    MARTIN SNICER
27    IAN HOOPER-RICHARDSON
28    WILLIAM GILL
29    DANIEL BARDEN
30    LISA CONROY
31    ROD BROOKS
32    LARISSA GOSCOMBE
33    CHRYSANTHE PSYCHOGIOS
34    JOHN ARENA
35    RALPHE NUNN
36    JOSH GOSCOMBE
37    JETT REID
38    GEORGE ALEXANDROU
39    NORBERT SNICER
40    GORAN KLEUT
41    ASHLEY KINGSTON
41    NICHOLAS FREESTONE LITTLE
43    GLEN ANTHONY CROWE
44    KERBY REID
45    CHERYL BROOKS
46    JAMIE BRODRICK
47    KEN OWEN
48    ZDENKA SNICER
49    MICHAEL ANDERSON
50    JENNIFER MILLER
51    YVETTE TAM
52    TIM McREIS
53    TREVOR WALSH
54    JACK JOSEPH KINGSTON

Take a Peek Inside Sydney's Favourite Pinball League - Wildball!

* Updated with full results!

It's on again for now it's 5th year of fun and games - the Wildball Pinball League starts tonight! 

A very brief window into what the players get to experience in this exclusive league.

Wildball has played host to some of the best game rooms in Australia, as well as a number of the highest ranked players in the country. Famous for the breadth of machines the lucky attendees get to touch and put through their paces, some of the collectors items are a one of a kind in Australia and one of a few in the world. The league is also highly regarded for it's social and fun focus, but still not forgetting there's a competition to be had!  Tonight the 2017 season kicks off in absolute style in visiting what I would describe as the best game room in the county.

Previous Wildball league champions include Andrew Ferguson, Andrew Waszkiewicz, Richard Rhodes, and Steven Edwards. Who will be the champion this year? Stay tuned to find out as we report the results here each round!

Full results of Round 1 below:

1.  Matthew Venables

2.  John Pansini

3.  Tim Chapman

4.  Brett Goodwin

5.  Naiomi Goodwin

5.  Mark Tibbetts

7.  David Loewy

8.  Andrew Ferguson

9.  Rawdon Osborne

10. Marc Bell

11.  Darren Griffiths

12. William Gill

13. Gavin Clark

14. Nathan Clissold

15. Michelle Clark

16. Dave Ranage

17. Greg McMahon

17. David Armstrong

19. Michael Hull

20. Terry Hunt

21. Ron Loewy

22. David Aliprandi

23. Tony Palumbo

24. Dejan Golja

25. Warwick Pearce

Which Australian State Came Out Tops at the Australian Pinball Championship Series

There were 4 Australian states represented at the recently held Australian Championship Series in Melbourne, but which state performed the best do you think? Well let's have a look!

The state rivalry at this years ACS was obviously a very serious affair. Here Paul Reid shows the other states how things get done in NSW. Photo by Matthew Venables Photography http://mvenables.com

We discussed the state representation before, and for context purposes sake let's go over that again now;

Players Attending:

• VIC - 13
• NSW - 8
• QLD - 8
• SA - 2

Players Ranked in the Australian Top 20

• NSW - 7
• VIC - 4
• QLD - 4
• SA - 2

Historically Highest World Ranked Player

• SA - Robert Macauley

Pinball 'Majors' Tournament Champions

• NSW - 2 (Paul Jones 2016 Brisbane Masters champion, Marc Bell 2015 Batcave Masters champion)
• VIC - 1 (Jordan Tredaway 2016 Melbourne Matchplay Championship champion)

Brett and Naiomi Goodwin - 2016 PAPA World Flips Champions - had targets on their backs as everyone attempted to beat them in the Flips side competition and claim boasting rights. Photo Matthew Venables Photography http://mvenables.com

So who are the ACS state champions for 2017? What state had more top 10 finishers in the main event than any other?

NSW - 4 Finishers!

And your new (completely non PAPA verified) world pinball flips champions, are Paul Jones and Pat Nichols! I'm pretty sure Brett and Naiomi are required by law to fly the flips championship trophy from the USA to it's new home here in Australia.. Photo Matthew Venables Photography http://mvenables.com

Brett Goodwin - 1st place

Matthew Venables - 3rd place

Paul Jones - 6th place

Marc Bell - 9th place

VIC - 3 Finishers

Johnny Crabtree - 2nd place

Jordan Tredaway - 5th place

Brian Schleibs - 7th place

QLD - 2 Finishers

Johhny did very well at this years ACS and did Victoria proud. Photo Matthew Venables Photography http://mvenables.com

Jasen Mouritsen - 8th place

Rob Singh - 10th place

SA - 1 Finisher

Robert Macauley - 4th place

Congratulations to NSW for having the most players in the top 10. Here's hoping in future ACS events we see some representation from WA, NT, and Tasmania. It's too high stakes of a competition to not have serious contenders from all over Australia. And failing that, there's always lots of beers and stupidity - I think everyone enjoys that!

See Full Results! Australian Pinball Championship Series - One of the Greatest of All Time!

Three tournaments held over four days at the Thornbury Bowls Club in Melbourne Victoria have concluded and the results are in! See where your favourite player ended up in what was one of the greatest pinball tournaments ever held in Australia.

Brett Goodwin - 2014 ACS Champion, and now 2016 ACS Champion too! Photo courtesy Matthew Venables Photography - http://mvenables.com

IFPA Australian Championship Series

1     Brett Goodwin
2    Johnny Crabtree
3    Matthew Venables
4    Robert Macauley
5    Jordan Tredaway
6    Paul Jones
7    Brian Boxy Schleibs
8    Jasen Mouritsen
9    Marc Bell
10   Rob Singh
11    Grant Quinn
12   Greg Gee
13   Luke Marburg
14   Pat Nichols
15   Greg Siegele
16   Martin Robbins
17   Alex Nunn
18   David Peck
19   Jason Lambert
20  Paul Reid
21   Wal Dickie
22  Geoff Wills
23  Nick Hamhougias
24  Michi Henning
25  Stacey Borg
26  John Hutchinson
27  Chris Wade
28  Andrew Ferguson
29  Stuart Thornton
30  Marcus Sezonov
31   Gavin Drogemuller
32  John Ebejer

Australian Championship Series 2 Strikes Side Tournament

1     Greg Siegele
2    Grant Quinn
3    Paul Jones
4    David Holroyd
5    Rob Singh
5    Jordan Tredaway
7    Paul Reid
8    Robert Macauley
8    Phil Franze
8    Brian Schleibs
8    Marc Bell
8    Martin Robbins
13   Matthew Venables
13   Gavin Drogemuller
13   Geoff Wills
13   Jason Lambert
13   Andrew Ferguson
18   Brett Goodwin
18   Stuart Thornton
18   Chris Wade
18   Fab Ciccone
18   Greg Gee
18   Tim Chapman
18   Vicki Wills
18   Pat Nichols
18   Peter Collins
18   Luke Marburg
28  Jasen Mouritsen
28  Dejan Golja
28  Lisa Butler
28  David Peck
28  Lucas Bardin
28  Daniel Robar
28  Michi Henning
28  Rico Stanley
28  Naiomi Goodwin
28  Stuart McLean
28  Fred Olsen
28  Adam Clarke
28  Scott Kellett
28  Marcus Sezonov
28  Shane Butler
43  Mark Guardiani
43  Stacey Borg
43  James Smith
43  Sam Tedesco
43  Nick Hamhougias
43  Fraser Haigh
43  Nathan Dishpan
43  Brent Lockwood
43  Lorraine Posar
43  Andrew Heitmann
43  Adrian Wilson

Australian Championship Series Flip Frenzy Side Tournament

1      Johnny Crabtree
2     Robert Macauley
3     Greg Gee
4     Paul Jones
4     Matthew Venables
6     Greg Siegele
7     Wal Dickie
8     Paul Reid
9     Andrew Ferguson
10   Gavin Drogemuller
11    Marc Bell
12   Brett Goodwin
13   Adam Clarke
13   Stuart Thornton
15   Jordan Tredaway
16   Naiomi Goodwin
17   Andy Kay
18   David Holroyd
19   Brian Schleibs
19   Michi Henning
21   Pat Nichols
22  Dejan Golja
23  Stacey Borg
24  Alex Nunn
24  Grant Quinn
24  Tim Chapman
27  Phil Franze
28  David Peck
29  Andrew Heitmann
29  Marcus Sezonov
29  Fab Ciccone
29  Daniel Robar
33  Vicki Wills
34  Geoff Wills
35  Nick Hamhougias
35  Raphael Melkonian
37  Lorraine Posar
38  Daniel Brown
39  Curtis Thornton
40  Stuart McLean
41   Adam Dutton

A massive congratulations to all players as they nurse their sore arms and legs over the coming days. There may only be a few winners but all were grinners - the tournament was exhausting but super fun. Well done all.

Brett Goodwin is your Australian Championship Series Champion - Again!

It's been a very long 4 days for everyone. Not least for our 14 finalists who played today after the qualifying rounds of the 32 entrants.

They are tired, worn out, but jubilant I'm sure with our Australian Championship Series champion for the 2016 season Brett Goodwin, who also won the 2014 season! Johnny Crabtree from Victoria 2nd, and Matthew Venables from NSW 3rd.

Full results coming soon! 

The Main Event - Australian Championship Series on Today!

32 of Australia's best pinball players meet head to head today at 10am, for likely well over 12 hours of high stakes competition - and then it continues tomorrow!

Game the System will be updating live in the comments over the course of the day.

Greg Siegele Wins 2 Strikes ACS Tournament

In a massive completion that went for 5 hours, Greg Siegele from South Australia takes out the 2 Strikes side competition at the Australian Championship Series. 

Grant left, Greg centre and Paul right. 

Grant Quinn takes 2nd, and Paul Jones 3rd.​

The 2 Strikes ACS Side Tournament is on Tonight!

The second of the side tournaments being held during the Australian Championship Series is on tonight starting at 6:30pm. This time a 'strikes​' tournament where - as the name suggest - 2 strikes (losses) and you're out!

There should be just as many players as last nights flipper frenzy, and likely more​ considering people are still arriving for Saturday's main event. We will, once again, be providing live results as they happen in the comments of this post.

Johnny Crabtree Wins the ACS Flip Frenzy

Johnny Crabtree from VIC wins the Flip Frenzy, with Robert Macauley 2nd and Greg Gee 3rd. 

Flip Frenzy at the Australian Championship Series About to Begin

The first of a number of tournaments set for the IFPA Australian Championship Series - Flip Frenzy - is on tonight!​

We will endeavour to post results in the comments of this post.​