Townsville Schools Esports Cup 2025!

Welcome to the Townsville Schools Esports Cup!

The Australian Esports League (AEL), in proud partnership with the Townsville City Council and Get Active and Healthy Townsville, is thrilled to invite students to the first-ever Townsville Schools Esports Cup!

Join us on Friday, 20 June 2025, at St Anthony’s Catholic College for an unforgettable day of friendly competition, teamwork, and pure gaming fun, and an inspiring Esports Careers Workshop to kick things off!  This event is open to all Primary (ages 9 and above) and High School students in the Townsville region. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or new to esports, there’s a spot for you to shine!

Get ready to represent your school, battle it out in your favourite games, and maybe even take home a medal and the title of Townsville Schools Esports Cup Champion!

Exciting Tournaments for Every Gamer!

We’ve got a fantastic line-up of games with something for everyone. Spaces are limited per competition, so register your school early!

High School Competitions

• Minecraft Capture the Flag Tournament
  • About: Students will work as a team to capture the oppositions flag while protecting their own, they must safely escort the oppositions flag back to their own base to earn a point. The team with the most points at the end of the match wins!
  • Format: Teams of 5 vs 5
  • Competition Cap: 8 Teams
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Competition
  • About: Students will play through a double-elimination bracket in 1-on-1 matches, students will have three stocks in each match and the last player standing wins their match!
  • Format: Solos
  • Competition Cap: 64 Students
• EA Sports FC 25 Competition
  • About: Students will compete in pools using the ‘clubs’ mode, playing 1-on-1 and winning matches by scoring the most goals by the match end!
  • Format: Solos
  • Competition Cap: 32 Students
• Just Dance Competition
  • About: Students will dance in heats where they must follow on-screen actions, the more accurately they dance these actions to the song the higher points they earn. Each round will have specific songs, this will be shared with teachers prior to the event.
  • Format: Solos
  • Competition Cap: 32 Students

Primary School Competitions

• Minecraft Build Challenge
  • About: Students will work in teams of two to recreate a well-known Townsville landmark using Minecraft: Education on XBOX, they will be assessed based upon accuracy and creativity to determine the winning design!
  • Format: Teams of 2
  • Competition Cap: 16 Teams
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Competition
  • About: Students will be placed into pools of four to race through a grand prix, students who place the best overall and earn the most points will win their race pool!
  • Format: Solos
  • Competition Cap: 64 Students
• Just Dance Competition
  • About: Students will dance in heats where they must follow on-screen actions, the more accurately they dance these actions to the song the higher points they earn. Each round will have specific songs, this will be shared with teachers prior to the event.
  • Format: Solos
  • Competition Cap: 32 Students

Unlock Your Potential with Esports!

Participating in the Townsville Schools Esports Cup isn’t just about winning; it’s about growth, community, and developing essential life skills in a fun and engaging environment. Here’s how esports benefits students:

• 🧠 Boosts Brainpower: Enhances strategic thinking, problem-solving, quick decision-making, and concentration.
• 🤝 Builds Teamwork & Communication: Especially in team games like Minecraft, students learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, and work towards a common goal.
• 🏅 Develops Sportsmanship & Resilience: Teaches students how to handle wins and losses gracefully, respect opponents, and persevere through challenges.
• 💻 Promotes Digital Literacy & STEM Skills: Introduces students to technology in a proactive way, often sparking interest in STEM fields.
• 🤗 Fosters Community & Inclusion: Creates a sense of belonging for students with a passion for gaming, helping them connect with like-minded peers and build friendships.
• 🎉 It’s FUN and Engaging! Esports provides an exciting outlet for students to showcase their talents and passion in a supportive environment.
• ⚖️ Encourages Healthy Gaming Habits: AEL events promote positive wellbeing, fair play, and balancing gaming with other activities.

The Townsville Schools Esports Cup is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience these benefits firsthand!

Esports Careers Workshop!

Kick-start your day with inspiration! Before the games begin, join us for a special session focused on the diverse career opportunities within the booming esports industry.

What to Expect:

• Welcome & Event Kick-off
• An engaging 20-minute “Esports Careers Talk” – discover roles beyond being a pro player, from event management and broadcasting to game design and marketing.
• Q&A session – get your questions answered!

This is a fantastic opportunity for students, particularly those in high school, to explore future pathways and see the professional side of the passion they love.

• Event: Townsville Schools Esports Cup
• Date: Friday, 20 June 2025
• Venue: San Damiano Centre, St Anthony’s Catholic College, Townsville.
• Event Schedule:
  • 9:00 AM: Student Arrivals
  • 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Check-ins & Seating (Please ensure students are seated by 9:45 AM)
  • 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Esports Careers Workshop
    • Welcome, Thank You & Event Overview
    • Esports Careers Talk with Q&A Session
    • Transition to Competition Zones
  • 10:30 AM: All Competitions Begin!
  • 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM (approx.): Lunch Break (Please bring your own lunch & refreshments)
  • 12:30 PM: Afternoon Competitions Resume
  • 2:00 PM: Medal Ceremony & Event Wrap-up
  • 3:00 PM event end
• Who Can Participate:
  • Primary School Students (Ages 9 and above)
  • High School Students
• What to Bring:
  • Students should wear their school sports uniform.
  • Water bottle and lunch/snacks
  • A positive attitude and team spirit!
  • AEL will provide all gaming equipment, however students may bring their own controllers – though these are not guaranteed to be usable on the day

Secure Your School’s Spot Today!

Participation in the Townsville Schools Esports Cup is FREE, but pre-registration by a school representative is essential as competition spots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Important Note for Schools: You are welcome to bring substitute players for your registered teams/individuals. We also encourage extra students to come along as supporters to cheer on their schoolmates!

Teachers/School Coordinators: Please complete the online registration form by Thursday, 19 June 2025.

One registration form per school, please. You can indicate the number of students/teams for each competition your school wishes to enter.

Compete for Medals and School Pride!

It’s not just about the thrill of competition; there are awesome accolades up for grabs! We will be celebrating the talent of all participants over the day as they share their passion and skills in gaming with us.

For those that win competitions for their schools:

• 🥇 Medals: Awarded to the winners (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd place) in each competition.
• 🏆 School Champions: Students will earn points for their school, with top-performing schools earning recognition as “Townsville Schools Esports Cup Champions”!
• 👏 Sportsmanship: We’ll also be celebrating great displays of teamwork and fair play throughout the day.