The Australian School Esports Awards Framework

Awards Overview

The Esports Teachers Award Program celebrates and recognises educators and schools that excel in fostering esports as a valuable educational and extracurricular activity. The program encourages nominations from teachers, peers, students, and parents, and includes diverse categories to honor both individual and institutional contributions.

Awards Goals

Recognise educators and schools championing esports in education.
Promote the educational and developmental benefits of esports.
Highlight innovative approaches to integrating esports into curriculum and extracurricular activities.
Inspire best practices and collaboration within the esports education community.

Individual Teacher Awards

Nominations Now Open

Innovative Curriculum Design in Esports:
Recognises a teacher who has creatively integrated esports into the classroom.
Outstanding Mentor in Esports:
Honours a teacher who has provided exceptional guidance and mentorship to students in esports teams or clubs.
Community Impact through Esports:
Highlights a teacher whose esports initiatives have positively impacted the school or local community.
Rising Star in Esports Education:
For new educators (less than three years in esports education) showing exceptional promise.
School Esports Coach of The Year:
For an educator who has coached a number of teams to competition success within a one year period.

School Awards

Nominations Now Open

Best School Esports Program:
Celebrates a school with a well-rounded, impactful esports program that engages students, promotes inclusivity, and aligns with educational goals.
Most Inclusive Esports Initiative:
For a school that has created programs prioritising diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in esports.
Best School Esports Space:
Recognises a school that has pioneered a creative esports-related space, technologies that is used for esports and cross-disciplinary projects.
Best Esports Training Program:
Demonstrates a strategic approach towards student training and one that has demonstrates improvements in performance, attendance, behaviour and or growth in the school's esports program.

Community Choice Award

Nominations Now Open

Most Inspirational Esports Teacher:
For a teacher who has inspired students and/or parents through their passion, dedication, and impact in esports.

Nomination Process

Nomination Process:

Who Can Nominate?
- Teachers (self-nominations and peer nominations).
- Students and parents.
Submission Requirements:
- Nomination Form: Completed online, including basic details of the nominee and nominator.
- Written Statement: A brief essay (300-500 words) explaining why the nominee deserves the award. Include specific examples, accomplishments, and impact.
- Supporting Materials (optional): Testimonials, photos, videos, or documents showcasing the nominee’s contributions.
Nomination Criteria:
- For Individual Teacher Awards:
  - Innovation: Creative integration of esports into the educational environment.
  - Impact: Evidence of positive outcomes, such as student engagement, academic improvement, or skill development.
  - Leadership: Demonstrates vision, mentorship, and the ability to inspire others.
  - Community Engagement: Collaborations with parents, schools, or local organisations to enhance esports initiatives.
- For School Awards:
  - Program Structure: Well-organised and sustainable esports programs with clear educational goals.
  - Student Development: Programs fostering teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
  - Inclusivity: Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, accessibility, and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
  - Innovation: Unique initiatives or approaches that set the program apart.
- For Community Choice Awards:
  - Inspiration: Stories of how the teacher motivated or supported students in esports.
  - Dedication: Going above and beyond to ensure student success and well-being.
  - Impact: Examples of how the teacher’s work has positively influenced students and their families.

Judging Process

Initial Screening:
Verify nominations for completeness and alignment with criteria.
Evaluation Panel:
A diverse group of esports educators, administrators, and industry experts score nominations based on a standardised rubric and shortlist nominees.
Shortlisted:
Shortlisted nominees are notified of their shortlisting and make travel arrangements to attend the awards evening and promote their shortlisting via personal and school base social media channels.
Final Selection:
Top nominees in each category are reviewed by the panel, and winners are selected based on scores and qualitative feedback and announced during the awards evening.
Conflict of Interest Clause:
If a judge may not be on the evaluation panel or have any involvement in the judging of an application that comes from a school in which they are currently employed.

Recognition and Prizes

Winners:
Receive trophies, certificates, and public recognition at an award ceremony.
Honourable Mentions:
Recognised in a dedicated section during the event and online.
Special Features:

Profiles of winners and their contributions showcased on The Australian School Esports Awards website and social media platforms.

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony will be a formal event celebrating the achievements of educators and schools in the esports community. Attendance at the ceremony is required for all shortlisted nominees, as this event provides a platform for networking, recognition, and sharing best practices. The ceremony will feature:
Keynote speeches from esports and education leaders.
Award presentations for each category, with winners announced live.
A networking reception to foster collaboration within the esports education community.
Nominees will be informed of the event details well in advance, including date, time, and venue.

Awards Timeline

Nominations Open: 19th May 2025
Submission Deadline: 31st July 2025
Judging Period: 16th August 2025
Nominations Announced: 22nd August 2025
Award Ceremony: 13th November 2025