What is Esports?
Esports 101: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Students
Esports, short for “electronic sports”, refers to organised, competitive video gaming. In an esports match, individual players or teams face off in real time to be crowned the champion, much like any traditional sports game. What started as a niche hobby has grown into a global phenomenon: today, major esports tournaments draw millions of viewers and live audiences, making esports one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
You may have seen teenagers engrossed in games or heard about huge championships for games like League of Legends or Rocket League. For those unfamiliar, it can be hard to imagine how playing video games could be comparable to playing rugby or netball. This article will explain in clear terms what esports is, address common misunderstandings, and show the benefits and opportunities it offers – especially for our young people in New Zealand.
Let’s start off with ‘What Is Esports’?
Esports is essentially competitive gaming. Players compete in popular video games under structured rules and tournaments, often in front of spectators online (and sometimes in person). These games span many genres, from strategy battles and virtual football matches to fantasy adventures, but all esports share the element of skilled competition. Matches are typically fast-paced and highly strategic. Just like traditional sports, esports has leagues, teams, coaches, and championships. Top players practice for hours to master their gameplay and work with teammates, and the very best can even earn sponsorships and prize money, similar to professional athletes.
To put it simply, esports takes the fun of video games and adds the organisation and intensity of sport. Competitions can range from a local high school tournament to a worldwide championship with teams from many countries. For example, New Zealand’s national esports team, aptly named the “E Blacks” in homage to the famed All Blacks, represents our country in international competitions. Since their debut at a world championship in 2016, the E Blacks have competed at events like the Commonwealth Esports Championships and the Global Esports Games. In other words, esports is not just kids playing in the garage; it’s a structured activity with rankings, referees, fans, and a real sense of community and sportsmanship.
It’s also important to note that esports is spectator-friendly. Games are streamed online, with commentators (like sports commentators) explaining the action. Large tournaments fill arenas overseas, and even in NZ, events are starting to draw crowds. The buzz and excitement when a team pulls off a clutch victory in a video game can be as real as a last-minute try on the rugby field. All of this means esports has become a mainstream form of entertainment and competition – one that many of our students are already passionate about.
Are you still a little bit unsure of what this means and what the world of esports hold? Give the videos below a watch, hopefully they will give you a glimpse into what esports is:
NZ Esports Case Study
Is esports a sport?
Ghostchips - E Blacks, Beyond the Game
Is Esports a “Real” Sport?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that esports “isn’t a real sport” because players aren’t running around a field. It’s true that esports athletes don’t need physical strength or endurance in the same way rugby or basketball players do. However, being a sport isn’t just about raw physical activity. Think of sports like archery, shooting, or even chess, they may not require sprinting or tackling, but they do demand intense concentration, skill, and practice. Esports is similar. Players must have quick reflexes, sharp hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking to outperform opponents. In fact, competitive gamers train for hours to refine their skills, analysing gameplay, practising tactics, and honing their teamwork, just like athletes in traditional sports.
As one youth sports organisation puts it, “while it’s true that esports doesn’t involve running or jumping, it still requires intense focus, strategy, and coordination… Just as chess or golf is recognized for its mental discipline, esports deserves recognition for its unique demands.”
Another common belief is that gamers are “couch potatoes.” In reality, many esports players take their health and fitness seriously.
Surprising as it may sound, gamers are often quite physically active in their daily lives. A recent New Zealand survey found that Kiwi esports players engage in about 7.8 hours of physical activity per week on average – significantly more than the national adult average of 4.8 hours. In other words, New Zealand gamers are roughly 70% more physically active than the typical kiwi. Their workouts range from gym sessions and running to playing other sports casually. This makes sense if you consider that good physical health (like strong reflexes, good posture, and endurance) can improve gaming performance.
Many professional esports teams even have fitness trainers and nutritionists to keep players in top shape mentally and physically. So, while esports itself is played sitting at a screen, the commitment to training and self-improvement is very real, just as in any sport.
It’s also worth mentioning that esports are now officially recognised as a sport in many places.
Here in New Zealand, our national sports authority (Sport NZ) formally recognised esports as a sport in 2020, putting competitive gaming on a similar footing to other sporting codes. Schools and sports organizations have since begun to treat esports with the same respect as traditional athletics.
For instance, in late 2023 School Sport New Zealand (the governing body for school sports) partnered with the NZ Esports Federation to help integrate esports into schools in a safe and structured way. This kind of recognition shows that the skills developed in esports – teamwork, competition, and discipline – are being taken seriously.
An esports match might look different from a rugby match, but both involve competitors giving their all, following rules, and striving to win through skill and teamwork. By all meaningful measures, esports is a “real sport.”
What Skills and Benefits Do Players Gain?
Beyond the competition itself, one of the best reasons to support esports is the range of valuable skills and personal growth it can foster in players. Gaming in a team or competitive setting is not just mindless screen time – it’s a learning experience. Here are some of the key benefits:
Just like on the netball court or football pitch, success in esports often hinges on how well you work with others. Players must communicate clearly, coordinate strategies, and trust their teammates. A League of Legends or Valorant team, for example, has to constantly talk and plan tactics during a match. This builds collaboration skills. According to one community sports group, “success in esports often hinges on effective collaboration… Players must communicate clearly and work together to achieve their objectives, much like in team sports like basketball or soccer.”
Participation in a gaming club or team can teach students about leadership, listening, and being a reliable team player. These are transferrable skills that help in school projects and eventually the workplace.
Esports is highly mental. In games, players need to make quick decisions – when to attack, which strategy to use, how to respond to the opponent’s moves – all under time pressure. This cultivates sharp critical thinking and decision-making skills. A player in a strategy game has to evaluate information and anticipate the opponent, much like a chess player plans several moves ahead. Over time, gamers learn to analyse situations, adapt their plans on the fly, and think creatively to win. Many teachers have noted that students involved in esports display improved focus and problem-solving abilities in other areas. In fact, in a 2024 NZ survey of students involved in esports, 54% said gaming had helped them in other academic subjects – likely because of the strategic thinking and perseverance it taught them.
It might surprise outsiders, but top gamers practice relentlessly. Reaching an elite level in any game requires hours of disciplined training, studying replays, and constantly learning – very much like the dedication of practising a musical instrument or training for athletics. Players learn the value of hard work and routine. Many school esports teams have scheduled practice sessions, set goals, and even do review sessions to improve. This kind of structured practice can instill a strong work ethic and resilience. Learning to handle both victory and defeat is another aspect – just as in traditional sports, young gamers learn to win graciously and bounce back from losses. Coaches and school programs emphasise good sportsmanship, so students pick up respect, integrity, and a growth mindset from the experience of competition.
Far from isolating kids, esports can be highly social. For many students (especially those who may not engage in other school activities), joining a gaming team or club provides a much-needed sense of belonging. They form friendships with teammates and even with competitors from other schools.
A national survey of Kiwi gamers in 2024 revealed that an overwhelming 87% of students felt esports helped them socially connect with others. By playing together and sharing a passion, kids often make real friendships that extend beyond the screen. This camaraderie can do wonders for a young person’s confidence. In the same survey, about 56% of students said esports made them more confident to get involved in other school activities.
Many parents are pleasantly surprised to see their once-shy child blossoming as they coordinate a team strategy or celebrate a win with friends. Esports can also bridge social gaps; students from different backgrounds who might not mix otherwise can come together over a shared love for the game. As Jonathan Jansen, CEO of NZ Esports, observed, the bonds gamers form online are “real and extend into the physical world,” bringing people together across communities
There’s growing evidence that esports can increase students’ overall engagement with school. When a school offers an esports program or club, it often reaches students who weren’t involved in any extracurricular activities before. These students suddenly have something at school they’re excited about, which can spill over into improved attendance or interest in classes.
The NZ Esports survey found that 65% of student gamers said esports made them more excited for school. By recognising their passion and giving it an official outlet, schools are finding a new way to motivate some learners. Esports can also create a pathway for students to explore technology, media, and even STEM skills (for example, managing a stream or understanding game design). In short, competitive gaming can be a hook that gets students more engaged academically and socially.
One New Zealand school resource put it nicely: esports has “proven to foster connection and engagement in a way we’ve never seen before in school sport.” It can truly light a spark in kids who haven’t found their niche elsewhere.
Unlike some sports, esports is accessible to a wide range of participants. It doesn’t matter your body type, gender, or physical ability – everyone can compete on a level playing field in a game. This inclusivity means students who might not go out for rugby or netball can still represent their school in esports. Boys and girls can play on the same team, and indeed gaming overall is popular among both (nearly half of New Zealand’s gamers are female, according to a recent industry report).
Esports can be especially beneficial for students with disabilities or those who aren’t drawn to traditional sports, giving them a platform to shine and experience team spirit. It’s also connecting different age groups and cultures – you might see a Year 13 student strategising alongside a Year 10 student, or kids from different ethnic backgrounds bonding over a match. All of this builds community and inclusion. As a bonus, schools have reported that when students know they have a gaming match in the afternoon, they are motivated to keep their grades up and behaviour in check so they remain eligible, the same positive effect traditional school sports can have.
In summary, esports can cultivate many of the same virtues as traditional sports. Participation can teach young people about cooperation, goal-setting, handling success and failure, and pushing themselves to improve.
And of course, it’s fun! The enjoyment they get from playing a game they love should not be underestimated – it can be a real boost to mental well-being. When balanced with academics and physical activity (a balance that school programs actively encourage), esports can be a healthy, enriching part of a student’s life.
Parents who worry about “too much screen time” might be reassured to know that organised esports programs emphasise moderation and wellness. Coaches often remind students to take breaks, stay active, and maintain good study habits. In this structured context, gaming becomes one part of a well-rounded lifestyle, not something that overtakes it. As with any hobby, the key is balance and guidance, and schools are finding that esports can actually help deliver both.