QUT Esport’s 2021 Women’s Intervarsity Championships commenced on Tuesday the 27th July 2021 with six teams from eight universities across Australia and New Zealand competing in the League of Legends tournament.
In the first round, six teams with representation from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Griffith University, Australian Catholic University (ACU), University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Monash University (MEGA), Flinders University and University of Adelaide, played off in a three game rally.
Results:
University of Auckland defeated MEGA in a friendly match-up
University of Waikato won their friendly game against the Griffith University and ACU composite team.
QUT defeated their opposition, a combination South Australian University team
The competition forms part of a QUT Sports wide initiative to introduce and support women in competitive and social esports.
QUT Sport coordinates the QUT Women’s Gaming Community which provides regular competitive and social events for women and non-binary people.
The initiative aims to provide a safe space for online gamers and for esport athletes, recognising that women are more likely to be targets of personal, sexual and gender based online abuse (eSafety Commissioner 2021).
An Amnesty international poll (2018) further revealed 40% of Australian women said that they had experienced abuse or harassment on a social media platform and in turn had either ceased or decreased their use of the platforms.
The QUT Sport’s Women’s Gaming Community is committed to providing safe avenues for students to get involved in esports and to learn production skills which include live streaming, broadcasting techniques, officiating and moderation of live chat streams.
Statistics show that the share of female video game players in Australian has risen from 38% in 2005 to 47% in 2019 (Statista.com, 2021).
However, Darvin in a 2021 article in The Conversation highlighted that although esports (competitive, organised video gaming) is a booming industry it is hard to find women players on university esport teams and in associated employment.
Darvin explains that there are several obstacles to engaging females in esports environments. Some of these obstacles include bullying and toxicity experienced by women in online environments.
QUT’s Tiger Academy, Women’s Gaming Community and several underpinning events run by the University offer opportunities to reset the culture at grass roots levels.
QUT has an established Esport Academy with a women’s esport team and has offered scholarships for League of Legends since 2018. Applications for 2022 will opening soon with 10 x $5000.00 scholarships available.
QUT Esport’s Women’s Intervarsity Championships is hosted by QUT’s Women Gaming Community Coordinator and student Keira Rawlins. Keira is supported by fellow commentators is Eve 'Viella' and Fetch 'Far Fetched' Whitton.
Round 2 of the competition starts at 6pm, Tuesday August 3rd and is streamed live on QUT Esport’sTwitch Channel.
For further advice on online safety issues refer to the following resources:
Online Safety Advice for Women(eSafety Commissioner 2021)
Guide to Managing Time Online(eSafety Commissioner 2020 Toolkit for Universities)
Why women? | eSafety Commissioner
For more information or to get involved in the Women's gaming community at QUT, email esports@qut.edu.au
