This competition is about the 'top performers', and that's most likely to be the person who makes the best bet on an individual company (or two). In reality I wouldn't be that foolish. I would (and do) stick to ETFs. But seeing as this is just a game, it's all about "the punt" and I don't mind just throwing my money on a company like I would on a race horse.
There's a lot of ETFs out there, so you're still picking, you're just picking a basket. I've been happily holding the satrix indi for some time now, and it's beaten just about every fund manager out. Whether it will continue to is the question.
Dividends and Interest minus tax gets paid in to your trading account. On my STXIND i was paid i think beginning July for 2nd quarter, about 1% annually.Usually there is a SENS out of payment dates.