What’s happening?
Mackay will host the first of three North Queensland EsportsAble Academy tournaments this weekend, with free competitions running on August 30-31 at Central Queensland University. The event features Rocket League and Marvel Rivals, offering local under-18 players the chance to compete and connect.
Why it matters
The tournament is part of QUT’s EsportsAble Academy, a youth wellbeing project designed to build safer and more inclusive esports communities for high school students. Project leader Professor Byron Keating said, “EsportsAble is about more than just playing video games; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and community for teens, especially those in regional areas where rates of mental ill-health, social isolation and self-harm are twice that of capital cities.”
Local impact
Mackay players need to register by August 29 to secure a place. Teens can sign up individually and will either be grouped with friends or connected with new teammates. In preparation, free Rocket League practice sessions are being held at Gordon White Library and Dudley Denny City Library, giving students a chance to sharpen their skills before tournament day.
By the numbers
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1,000+ high school students have already taken part in pop-ups, coaching and tournaments across Queensland.
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3 North Queensland tournaments are scheduled, beginning with Mackay.
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Flights and accommodation will be provided for Mackay winners to attend the Brisbane finals in November.
Zoom in
Tournament coordinator Steve Window said, “Teenagers need to register as individuals and we will put them into a team with their friends or connect them with other gamers if they don’t already have a team.” He added that schools and parents have given great feedback about the academy and its events.
EsportsAble Academy manager Dr Thilini Alahakoon highlighted the program’s popular “Power-Up” sessions. “One of the most popular features of the Academy is our regular online ‘Power-Up’ sessions where people can hone their skills and get feedback from professional gamers and coaches,” she said.
Zoom out
The EsportsAble Academy is led by QUT and supported by the Queensland Government, local councils, Headspace and the Queenslanders with Disability Network. It is funded through an Information, Linkages and Connections grant from the Australian Government. The Mackay competition is the fourth in a statewide series of six tournaments, with regional winners progressing to the EsportsAble Queensland High School Esports Championship in Brisbane in November.
What to look for next
Mackay’s top players will earn the chance to represent their region at QUT in Brisbane, where the state finals will decide the inaugural EsportsAble Queensland High School Esports champions.
