Gold Coast senior high school students will have the opportunity to compete in a new esport series under a partnership between Bond University and Fuse Enterprises.
Planning is underway for a multi-tournament series to be hosted at Bond University’s Gold Coast campus throughout 2024.
The tournaments will be funded from a Queensland Government ActiveKit 2 grant secured by Bond Director of Sport Michael Collins to encourage participation in sports.
Mr Collins said Bond University was invested in providing competitive opportunities for Gold Coast teenagers, but also expanding its on campus offerings for more recreational gamers.
“Bond sport is excited to partner with the Fuse Cup team,” he said.
“We are committed to investing in our sports programs to provide the best opportunities for our athletes and to make Bond University a destination of choice for high school athletes.
“The Fuse Cup are leaders in this space and the perfect partner to help Bond University activate our esports infrastructure.”
Fuse Enterprises run the Fuse Cup, an international network of schools that provide students safe, supportive and structured national esports competition with an educational emphasis on digital wellbeing.
The National Fuse Cup finals held on the Gold Coast in late October was proudly supported by Bond University.
The event was contested by the country's top 60 players representing 25 schools from five different states.
The upcoming competitions at Bond will feature newly created PC based games that appeal to students between 16 and 18 years of age.
Fuse Enterprises chief operating officer Dan Martinez said esports competitions were an ideal way for like-minded young people to socialise in a competitive environment and an opportunity to educate them on healthy gaming habits.
He anticipated the partnership with Bond University would lead to increased participation opportunities and exposure to competitive esports for the Gold Coast community.
“We are working with Bond University to design and develop a new range of competitions for year 11 and 12 students,” he said.
“These esport competitions will feature age-appropriate games that suit the students’ interests and will be hosted at Bond.”
Bond Manager of Industry Engagement Lisa Shaw said the partnership was aimed at cultivating a personalised and transformational student experience.
“These competitions will champion digital wellbeing, inclusion, and social values through education, technology, and holistic development,” she said.