Yesterday, eight schools, in teams of four, contested the intermediate section of the Scrabble For Fun competition at the Dunedin Public Library.
Scrabble For Fun has been running in Dunedin since 2002 and the junior section, with 10 schools competing, took place earlier in the week.
The winning team received from the Otago Daily Times a cup and a Scrabble set for their school. Spot prizes were also given out for the best words using the letters Z, X, J and Q.
Scrabble For Fun co-ordinator and president of the Dunedin Scrabble Club spokeswoman Ruth Groffman said the intermediate section was added last year because children in the junior section enjoyed it so much.
''I wanted to encourage children to play because it's a real learning tool. It helps with their maths, English, problem-solving and strategy. All essential skills that children are developing,'' she said.
An individual competition will be held today.
''Ultimately, the purpose of all this is to try and find someone to represent New Zealand in the world youth Scrabble champs.''
Results
Junior year 5-6: George Street Normal Synchronizers 1, Kaikorai Scrabble For Infinity 2, Opoho Red 3; intermediate year 7-8: Balmacewen 1, John McGlashan 2, Columba 3.
