QUT will develop and host an inclusive esports program for regional Queensland high school students, with the support of a $1.19 million grant from the Australian Government.
The EsportsAble project will see a series of esports events held in six regional locations across Queensland during 2025, culminating in a state championship in Brisbane.
The project aims to encourage greater diversity in esports participation, and create safer and more welcoming esports communities for high school students who have mental health conditions that affect their ability to participate in social situations.
It will provide teens with an online training and coaching program to support their involvement in a series of esports events in Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba.
QUT is a recognised leader in esports in Queensland and Oceania, and already runs tournaments for high school students and university students.
Professor Byron Keating from the QUT Business School is leading the EsportsAble project team.
"Our aim is to help adolescents with psychosocial disabilities participate, contribute and thrive in the rapidly growing field of esports," he said.
"Engaging in esports, particularly for those living outside of cities, is often hindered by cyberbullying, reduced emotional resilience, and lack of opportunity."
QUT has received a $1,192,045 grant from the Australian Government's Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program to deliver EsportsAble.
The project team draws on the expertise of Professor Keating (service design and delivery), Professor Marilyn Campbell (cyberbullying), Professor Amanda Beatson (youth with disabilities), Dr Tristan Coulter (sports psychology), Dr Shasha Wang (adolescent communications), and Aarron Bowden (sports operations).
Professor Keating said their first step would be to identify needs and get community feedback to help design an inclusive esports program.
"We will run focus groups and co-design workshops over the next six months in each of our remote/regional locations – Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba," he said.
QUT's Director of Sport, Emily Rosemond, said EsportsAble would help improve diversity in esports participation.
"The EsportsAble project will enhance the development and scale of our esports events and activities, enabling QUT to cater to a more diverse audience, including those with psychosocial needs," she said.
"The QUT Esports Program delivers high school tournaments, the official Oceanic League of Legends Intervarsity Tournament for over 40 universities and institutions, and the Oceanic Development Tournament, which is a semi-professional event that creates pathways into competitive esports for both participants and tournament operators.
"In addition to competing in these events, they form opportunities for students to learn fundamental skills linked to event management, broadcasting, and production, whilst also building social communities.
"The EsportsAble funding will further solidify the importance of QUT's leadership in Australia's burgeoning esports community."
The EsportsAble project will be implemented in collaboration with partners including YourTown, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), and the Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation, and Sport (QDTIS). These partnerships will provide essential resources and expertise needed to ensure the success of the project.
