'Stooler' stumps Tuvalu Scrabble whiz’s opponent at nationals

With the Tuvalu community in Aotearoa and abroad rallying for him, Maheu Papau T-Pole put his best foot forward at the recent New Zealand 44th Scrabble Championships.

That would be the 11-year-old’s uninjured foot – the other one was in a moonboot, with an injury sustained in a Massey Rugby Club game the previous weekend.

The Mt Albert Scrabble Club player, of Tuvalu and Pākehā heritage, switched the footy ball to the Scrabble board over King’s Birthday Weekend.

Competing at his first ever national tournament, in Wellington, Maheu played a total of 22 games (including one bye) in E-grade, where he claimed five wins.

He took it all in his stride, from flying to the capital city without his parents, to playing against seasoned competitors with many more Scrabble matches under their belt, plus years his senior.

The Year 7 Te Atatu Intermediate student says it was an awesome weekend, and he came away feeling pretty happy.

“I was happy with my bonus words I put out, including retrain and cleaner,” Maheu says.

“I also put out a bogus word or two I didn’t know the definition of, but it was still worth a try because if my opponent doesn't challenge me, I can still earn points."

Perhaps the highlight of the youngster’s weekend, was using the word stooler in a match on Saturday, which went unchallenged.

Maheu’s mum Marama says she hopes other young people get involved, and start to play Scrabble competitively.

“It is a great tool for the mind and helps with focus and strategy too - and no injuries,” she adds.

President of the Mt Albert Scrabble Club Liz Fagerlund says it is wonderful to see the likes of Maheu and his clubmate Cooper Ashley, 14, who also attended nationals, at club night on Mondays.

“Mt Albert is the last remaining club (affiliated to the New Zealand Scrabble Association) in Auckland, so it is great to see younger players like Maheu and Cooper playing … we need more people to take it up, to survive.”

Taking out the country’s top overall honours at the championships was Howard Warner, from Wellington claiming his 12th national title.

Visit the NZ Scrabble website for more information.