Game On: Student Esports Event Redefining Team Sports and Social Wellbeing

Kiwis do team sports well. From school teams to club teams, social and competitive leagues, there’s often a spot for everyone who wants to participate. It’s been proven that team sports have great benefits for participants social wellbeing, providing a sense of belonging, comradery, and can be an excellent place to find people with the same interests as you.

Typically, when people think of team sports, physical activities like rugby, netball or football come to mind. Gaming rarely falls into this category and is sometimes viewed as an “antisocial” activity due to its individual nature or virtual teammates and competitors. However, gaming is now gaining recognition as a legitimate team sport.

The Insert Coin to Play Charity is working to change the narrative of gaming in New Zealand with events that encourage children to participate in Esports in a fun and safe environment. One of these events is masterminded by Duncan Trickey. Trickey, a teacher at Otago Girls High School, noticed a gap in the options of activities available to students who weren’t always interested in physical sports. He says some of the kids had never been in the school van or to another school for a competition, remarking “they were really excited about it, and to be part of a team”.

The outcomes from the brawl cannot be understated. A study has found there was an increase in female Esport players during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is evident in the number of girls participating in the brawl and other events in the Esports space. Trickey highlights that several participants have graduated with scholarships in game design and digital studies after finishing school. Moreover, the events are helping students develop soft skills, including social skills.

It’s important to the organiser that the event remains as affordable as possible for students, so sponsorship is extremely important. The students also benefit from the sponsorships received by the events, including new equipment. Trickey emphasizes the importance of sponsors like Unifone, which has provided a stable internet connection. “A lot of kids have never played on stable internet and missed out, now there’s no boundaries,” he says. More sponsors mean a better experience for the students, including access to more streaming services and opportunities to develop other skills.

The annual Esports Brawl competition attracts students from all over the country. This year marks the fourth annual event, with interest from schools as far as St Cuthbert's College in Auckland. Previous participants have come from Queenstown, Timaru, Waitaki, Invercargill and Dunedin schools. The upcoming event is set to take place on the 21st and 22nd of September at Otago Girls' High School.

Through initiatives like the Esports brawl, the narrative around gaming is shifting. As more students find their place in the world of Esports, the benefits of team sports—whether on the field or in the virtual arena—become increasingly evident.

Author: Sarah Hutton