Christchurch gamers to compete in esports nationals

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tatiana Gibbs:

Five Christchurch high school esports players will compete in front of a live crowd of hundreds this month when they represent the South Island at the New Zealand Esports Hyperfibre League tournament in Auckland.

It is the first time that high school gamers from around the country have the opportunity to compete in-person and on stage in an open-entry New Zealand-only esport tournament.

The Christchurch team competed in a remotely run national tournament last year – making it to the semi-finals – and this year, they’re out for a tilt at the schools’ title.

The South Island team comprises Burnside High School’s esports team combined with two Christchurch Boys' High School (CBHS) players, who took out the southern League of Legends competition undefeated.

Burnside High teacher Fin Cresswell said the team represented the “cream of the crop” of South Island gamers.

The team fly to Auckland to compete in both the high school and all ages open divisions, which take place at SkyCity Theatre October 7 to 9.

The venue has a 700-seat capacity that is expected to sell out, making for an atmosphere none of the players have experienced before, after last year’s nationals were held online because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Competing in front of a crowd of hundreds hasn’t dented the team’s confidence instead team member Tianze Wang, 18, said it might boost them.

“I don't get nervous that much, I feel like more excited,” he said. “So, I think I'll have a better performance playing on stage.”

Cresswell, who oversees the team with CBHS teacher Andy Thawley, expected everyone to be a little nervous playing in front of a live crowd, but said they were “strong, strong, strong contenders” to do well in both national finals.

The Burnside esports team members had been competing together in person at Christchurch libraries for their weekly esports matches, rather than competing remotely from home.

Allen Qin, 17, said being able to play next to teammates gave them “a better connection, for sure”.

The Christchurch City Council was the first council to back esports competitors by turning public libraries into gaming hubs each week, giving high school esports teams a physical ‘field’ to compete from equipped with high speed internet and high-spec gaming computers.

“The libraries have been amazing,” Cresswell said. “Their support has just been absolutely incredible.”

The Burnside team is looking for redemption against last year’s finalists Botany Downs Secondary College, to whom they lost in last year’s semi-final.

“This year is like revenge,” Wang said. “We can beat them and take back our glory.”

It was also an opportunity for the team to showcase their skills with the best of the best in New Zealand, Cresswell said.

“It's hard for people who have no conceptual understanding of esports to really get how insanely well our students are performing.

“We're about to prove that.”