Esports continue to engage increasing numbers of rangatahi in Aotearoa as young people find new ways to connect with their peers while finding their niche.

Esports is a multiplayer electronic or video game competition purpose-built and organised as a spectator sport involving professional players and watched by viewers online that have a professionalised culture; a kind of institution encompassing everything from fans to teams, to leagues.

In recent times, previously conceived notions about video gaming have begun to change with the acceptance of this type of activity as a new sporting code. This is thanks to leaders in the sector advocating for the benefits to the wellbeing of those that play esports regularly.

One such person is Wellington-based, Henry Lawton who owns an esports company named Victory Up. Henry holds the rights to host secondary school esports for Riot Games via META Games in Aotearoa.

Lawton set up the National League which was a big success earlier this year with massive increases in participation. He has engaged with many rangatahi through esports that were previously disinterested.

“Esports is still a new concept in Aotearoa, although there has been competitions in secondary schools for the past five years, we are only now seeing the acceptance of this new sporting code.

“We have an opportunity as a nation to shape how esports operates in Aotearoa. By becoming a legitimate sport (March 2020) it has empowered our schools to start building healthy guidelines for this sporting code to operate. A place where we can influence the digital consumption of our rangatahi in a positive manner. The international opportunities available in esports are enormous, we are now seeing the trend of esports organisations with larger followings than some of the world’s biggest traditional sports teams,” he adds.

He believes young people are attracted to the sport not only because of the enjoyment they get out of playing, but for the competitive nature of the sport.

“Esports is very similar to traditional sports, rangatahi have a chance to scratch the competitive itch with something they enjoy doing daily. It has a low entry skill level required but the ceiling is limitless and rangatahi can find many methods to fine tune their skillset.

“I would like to see more regional sport governing bodies look into esports as a viable option of participation in the next few years. The opportunity to reach rangatahi who don’t participate in traditional sports is enormous and will become a missed opportunity if we continue to see this as just a hobby,” he adds.

There are many ways in which wellbeing can be positively impacted through participating in esports and these benefits are very similar to those gained from taking part in traditional sports.

“Esports is a great way to develop the values we find in many other sporting codes: Teamwork, respect, discipline, responsibility, resilience, positive attitude and integrity. The social aspect of esports is quite hidden by those who have yet to see it in action and only see it as a ‘video game.’ Throughout the ongoing lockdowns we have been experiencing since 2020, rangatahi have been able to keep connected with their peers and still undertake meaningful competition,” says Lawton.

Although many young people have access to video gaming to varying degrees, equity of access is a major issue across Aotearoa as the sport is very elitist and not everyone has access to right equipment.

Henry is addressing this issue by working closely with digital hubs around the country including Digital Natives Academy in Rotorua, 2NUICODE in Hawera, Respawn Esports Centre in Wellington and esports equipped libraries in Christchurch. The goal is to allow access to esports for those that wouldn’t be able to access the equipment and facilities any other way as well as helping to create a social community for rangatahi to play.

Danny McNeil from Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi, Christchurch City Libraries has been working alongside Henry and the Ministry of Education to develop these activities within the library network where access to PCs, esport equipment and spaces are provided for this kaupapa.

Danny, like Henry, is a huge advocate for equity of access, and shares the vision to engage with rangatahi through esport. Following a very successful inaugural CCCL High School League of Legends Tournament in 2020 he has been collaborating with Henry to help grow the sport in Ōtautahi and the rest of Te Waipounamu.

“These tournaments are a great way to give parents the opportunity to see that through esports, their kids are communicating with their peers, participating in a team and practicing high level skills. All the big teams around the world have personal trainers and nutritionists to ensure their bodies are in peak condition for playing.

“These young people might not be rugby players, but they can be part of a team and get that meaningful connection - it can also be an entryway into a career path,” adds McNeil.

Henry is currently developing unit standards for schools around managing time and health -there are also physical activity elements built into the standard in order for rangatahi to be in the best form possible to participate in esports.

The next tournament in Ōtautahi has unfortunately been cancelled due to Covid-19, but there will be plenty on the calendar for 2022.

Learn more about esports in Ōtautahi - Click here 
 

Article added: Monday 29 November 2021