What’s On
Team Australia
The national team representing Australia in esports during the Commonwealth Games was selected during the national trials process hosted by Major Events Gold Coast.
The Australian team will be participating in Dota 2 Womens, Rocket League Opens and Rocket League Womens events during the Birmingham Commonwealth Esports Championships hosted by the Commonwealth Federation and Global Esports Federation as a demonstration event.
The team will first compete in a playoffs series in Nottingham from the 3rd-4th August, then will go to the Birmingham International Convention Centre from the 5-7th for the finals component with the closing ceremony taking place 8:00PM (GMT+1).
2022 Commonwealth Esports Championships
The inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, England this summer on August 3rd-7th, 2022
The Championships is a result of the Strategic Partnership between the Global Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
This event is a demonstration event with all stakeholders looking towards esports featuring as a main medal event at the Victorian Commonwealth Games.
Meet The Team
Jakino
Antonia C, 28
What does it mean to represent the country?
I never expected to be able to do anything like this, so I feel very appreciative of this opportunity.
How long have you been playing Dota 2?
10 years
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
Coming to terms with the adult life (and keeping up with playing games).
Notable achievements:
Beating New Zealand in the regional qualifiers for the 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championships.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
Recognised with the rest of the sporting world.
Icey
Fern B, 28
What does it mean to represent the country?
It’s an honor to represent Australia and something I never expected to do in my lifetime. I’m hopeful that by doing so, we can highlight the passion for esports in my country.
How long have you been playing Dota 2?
7 years
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
Accepting that esports is tied closely to my identity and that it has been a form of empowerment throughout my life. For women in particular, playing games often lends to sense of shame. I hope that through this platform, we can create avenues for more women to be represented, and feel proud of their passion and talents in this area.
Notable achievements:
Played in FSL SEA tournament games.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
I hope that esports will continue to grow in both its diversity and reach. And to be able to provide entertainment for those who also do not play.
Rin
Lynley-Ann D, 29
What does it mean to represent the country?
Representing Australia is such an incredible opportunity. As an esports player, I get to be a role model to other Australian gamers and especially women looking to find a career in esports as well. I hope to show Australia the potential esports has as a sport, as well as make other Australians proud of us and our performance.
How long have you been playing Dota 2?
17 years
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
Bullying in game for being female as well as people not wanting me on their teams due to being female. Not only in casual online games where bullying was present, I also struggled with local tournaments and companies not taking me seriously when organising or competing in tournaments. However, with time, many people who have come to know me, saw my dedication and hard work, which helped me to overcome these hurdles. As well, increased presence of female players online has reduced bullying long term.
Notable achievements:
Arena tournament 2014 3rd place
Agon 2015 (held at arena/avcon)
3rd place tournament
MASCA 2016 1st place tournament.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
I hope to see Dota 2 competive scene continue to flourish, with more female players and possibly women’s divisions. In Australia, the creation of more esports teams that play overseas would help the local and national scene drastically.
Wegs
Kate W, 31
What does it mean to represent the country?
Very proud, grateful and humble to have this opportunity.
How long have you been playing Dota 2?
7 years
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
Using microphone to communicate in game & to be taken seriously has felt very difficult over the years. The bullying for being female has been the biggest challenge in the Dota community.
Notable achievements:
This event (esports commonwealth championships) is the biggest achievement for us as a team and myself personally.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
To encourage more diversity and more support/exposure from countries for esports in general.
Pooding
Lisa L, 27
What does it mean to represent the country?
It feels great. I hope, with our efforts, that Australia would consider providing more funds and support for future generations who consider getting into esports.
How long have you been playing Dota 2?
14 Years
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
Learning how to communicate, understand my teammates strengths and weaknesses and playing around it.
Notable achievements:
Beating OG.Ana 1v1 mid at PAX as well as qualifying for the 2022 commonwealth esports championships.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
Hopefully esports games would be as popular and properly funded as the other commonwealth games.
Habulouss
Ayla B, 21
What does it mean to represent the country?
Personally I am just proud to be representing the country as a woman and hope I can inspire other woman to follow their passions in gaming as well.
How long have you been playing Rocket League?
I have been playing Rocket League since 2018 but only recently started taking it seriously. The first couple of years was just very on and off.
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
My biggest challenge has definitely been trying to keep a good mentality towards the game while dealing with a lot of toxicity from the community for being a woman.
Notable achievements:
Biggest achievement thus far is competing in the Commonwealth Games!
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
I hope to see esports grow in OCE as a whole and include women in gaming more and more as time goes on.
Pinkjelly
Zoe A, 29
What does it mean to represent the country?
Its really exciting to be heading overseas to wear the Green and Gold and I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent both Australia and woman in Rocket League. Hopefully this inspires others to keep being motivated and striving to break into the esports scene in their favourite games.
How long have you been playing Rocket League?
Started Rocket League just after release in 2015 but didn’t start playing competitively until 2018 when I started playing consistently with friends and grinding up the ranks.
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
Challenges come in all different forms with this game, keeping a good mindset, dealing with toxic players in the game (sexism), being consistent in skill level and overall just remembering to enjoy the game too. Finding like minded people within the community to work with to overcome these challenges has been one of my favourite parts of playing Rocket League.
Notable achievements:
Competing in the Commonwealth games will be my biggest personal achievement but a huge shoutout goes to Bepsycola for beginning and growing the Rocket League female scene in OCE, we have all competed in the tournaments that are organised. Wins and Losses but either way having this community is massive and somethin we are all grateful to be apart of.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
Hoping it keeps progressing and more opportunities become available to people not just in OCE but all around the globe. Competitive Gaming takes time, dedication, skill, motivation, practice and its amazing to see competitors recognised for all their efforts.
QueenMorgie
Morgan M, 24
What does it mean to represent the country?
Representing Australia competing in a game I love is such an incredible opportunity I never thought I’d have. It means a great deal to be representing women and hopefully encouraging more to pick up a controller (or kbm) and break into the competitive scene. To also be representing the OCE community means a lot to me as we’ve had so much support from friends, family, our coaches and the wider community. So much time and effort has gone into helping us grow into a strong team, so I hope we can do them proud in green and gold!
How long have you been playing Rocket League?
I started playing Rocket League very casually in 2018. Just a few games here and there with friends, but I started taking it seriously in 2021. I am a competitive person and really love the game, so I started training in free play, using packs and was more driven to play competitively.
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is making sure to keep a strong mentality and feel like I am good enough. In any part of our lives, we face people who will try to bring us down, tell us we’re not good enough and make us feel like we don’t deserve to be where we are. You can get that in gaming a lot, especially with the anonymity of online game chats. People will tell you you’re bad at the game, and sometimes it will be targeted at the fact that we’re women. With the competitive scene growing and developing, however, and with the incredible supportive we’ve had from so many others in the community, it becomes easier to ignore and develop the mindset that we’re strong and we’re here to compete.
Notable achievements:
Competing for Australia at the Commonwealth Esports Championships will be my biggest achievement both personally and as a team. I consider myself very lucky to be playing with two incredibly skilled teammates and great friends in PinkJelly and Hab. Since coming together as a team, we’ve come a long way and to be where we are now is mind blowing to us.
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
In 5-10 years I hope the esports scene is growing exponentially. I think it’s a huge world to be a part of and there is so much opportunity to look forward to for players, those working in orgs, agencies and events, and viewers worldwide. I think the esports scene in OCE is small in comparison to some, but we will continue to grow and nurture talent and always prove to be a strong region. A lot of this has been a great step for us, particularly as women. Recently, the Oceanic Women’s League was developed (huge shout out to Bepsycola for bringing this together!) and it has helped us to come together as women in the scene, play in tournaments, share our love for the game and work towards a bigger and better future.
Kaka
Joshua W, 18
What does it mean to represent the country?
TBD
How long have you been playing Rocket League?
TBD
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
TBD
Notable achievements:
TBD
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
TBD
Finn
Finn M, 19
What does it mean to represent the country?
TBD
How long have you been playing Rocket League?
TBD
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
TBD
Notable achievements:
TBD
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
TBD
Shorez
Tai K, 16
What does it mean to represent the country?
TBD
How long have you been playing Rocket League?
TBD
What has been your biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?
TBD
Notable achievements:
TBD
Where do you hope to see esports in 5 - 10 years?
TBD