Christchurch gamers to compete in esports nationals
From reporter Tatiana Gibbs:
Five Christchurch high school esports players will compete in front of a live crowd of hundreds this month when they represent the South Island at the New Zealand Esports Hyperfibre League tournament in Auckland.
It is the first time that high school gamers from around the country have the opportunity to compete in-person and on stage in an open-entry New Zealand-only esport tournament.
The Christchurch team competed in a remotely run national tournament last year – making it to the semi-finals – and this year, they’re out for a tilt at the schools’ title.
The South Island team comprises Burnside High School’s esports team combined with two Christchurch Boys' High School (CBHS) players, who took out the southern League of Legends competition undefeated.
Burnside High teacher Fin Cresswell said the team represented the “cream of the crop” of South Island gamers.
The team fly to Auckland to compete in both the high school and all ages open divisions, which take place at SkyCity Theatre October 7 to 9.
The venue has a 700-seat capacity that is expected to sell out, making for an atmosphere none of the players have experienced before, after last year’s nationals were held online because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Competing in front of a crowd of hundreds hasn’t dented the team’s confidence instead team member Tianze Wang, 18, said it might boost them.
“I don't get nervous that much, I feel like more excited,” he said. “So, I think I'll have a better performance playing on stage.”
Cresswell, who oversees the team with CBHS teacher Andy Thawley, expected everyone to be a little nervous playing in front of a live crowd, but said they were “strong, strong, strong contenders” to do well in both national finals.
The Burnside esports team members had been competing together in person at Christchurch libraries for their weekly esports matches, rather than competing remotely from home.
Allen Qin, 17, said being able to play next to teammates gave them “a better connection, for sure”.
The Christchurch City Council was the first council to back esports competitors by turning public libraries into gaming hubs each week, giving high school esports teams a physical ‘field’ to compete from equipped with high speed internet and high-spec gaming computers.
“The libraries have been amazing,” Cresswell said. “Their support has just been absolutely incredible.”
The Burnside team is looking for redemption against last year’s finalists Botany Downs Secondary College, to whom they lost in last year’s semi-final.
“This year is like revenge,” Wang said. “We can beat them and take back our glory.”
It was also an opportunity for the team to showcase their skills with the best of the best in New Zealand, Cresswell said.
“It's hard for people who have no conceptual understanding of esports to really get how insanely well our students are performing.
“We're about to prove that.”
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.1% Yes
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15.1% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
Calling All Puzzle Masters! Can You Solve This?
When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height.
Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was.
If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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