Esports is not a new phenomenon. Playing video games used to be something kids would do at the arcade after school. Those kids have grown-up now and so has gaming. A healthy competitive gaming scene already existed in New Zealand prior to the establishment of the NZESF but no formal body to represent or develop the industry further. Esports has rapidly grown internationally in the last 12 months and the founders of the NZESF do not want to see NZ left behind.
In December 2015 the MyRepublic NZGC League of Legends tournament was convened. It was the first Esport competition to be televised in New Zealand. Unlike most traditional sports no formal body sanctioning body existed to supervise the competition. This was the genesis of a group of like minded individuals getting together who saw the need for a amateur and professional body to represent the interest of players and the industry.
The New Zealand eSports Federation (NZESF) was incorporated and formally established as non-profit society in March 2016.
The NZESF is a member of the International Esports Federation and shares it’s core objectives.
The NZESF objectives are:
NZESF has an executive membership of 6 under the Presidency of Ben Lenihan. Executive members are elected annually at AGM. All members of the Executive work on a voluntary basis, core services are contracted out.
Our aim is to promote esports and encourage members to host events that will enable promising gamers to gain competitive experience for other national and international events.
The New Zealand Esports Federation accepted as a full member at International Esports Federation AGM by unanimous decision by all member countries.
The NZESF has sent representative esports teams to the following IESF World Championships:
Some of the team volunteering their time for the growth of esports in NZ.
Contact us if you would like to get involved.
