2026 Intake / Rocket League & Valorant
JUNIOR
E BLACKS
New Zealand’s national pathway for young esports athletes. Selected from the NZSS league. Coached, mentored, and developed as the country’s next generation of representative talent.
Selection Means Something.
Every year, NZ Esports selects a cohort of the country's most promising secondary school players to join the Junior E Blacks.
Six months of structured development. Coaching, mentorship, fitness, and recognition as future representative talent for New Zealand.
Being chosen is the start.
This year, we play Rocket League.
Our 2026 cohort will be drawn from the top Rocket League and Valorant performers in the NZ Esports Secondary Schools league. Selection takes place after the Autumn and LAN Clash. If you want to be considered, your NZSS league results are the main thing the panel will look at.
// 2026 Game Title
Rocket League
3v3 competitive vehicular soccer. The active NZSS league title with several international opportunities per year makes it a strong fit for the Junior E Blacks game title for 2026.
Coaching focuses on team rotation, mechanical refinement, VOD review, and the mental side of high-pressure competition.
// 2026 Game Title
Valorant
5v5 competitive tactical shooter. The active NZSS league title with international opportunities makes it a strong fit for the Junior E Blacks game title for 2026.
Coaching focuses on team rotation, mechanical refinement, VOD review, and the mental side of high-pressure competition.
Players selected nationwide
Structured development programme
Levels on the NZ Esports pathway
Your name on the back
Everything a national athlete needs.
Selection means we think you have potential. What will you make of it? Coaching, jerseys, mentorship, wellbeing, and a national platform.
01 / Identity
Recognition
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Official selection letter signed by the NZ Esports CEO
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Junior E Blacks jersey with your name and number
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Digital profile card for your school and socials
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Selection and completion certificates
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Permanent profile on the NZ Esports website
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A school assembly announcement
02 / Performance
Development
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1:1 coaching from the region's best coaches
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Group coaching sessions across the cohor
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Direct mentorship from current E Blacks national players
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VOD review on your own gameplay
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Practical nutrition guide reviewed by a professional
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Guest sessions with sport psychologists and industry pros
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End-of-programme performance report for you and your school
03 / Community
Access
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NZ Esports membership for the programme year
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iscounted Jetts gym membership where available
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Entry to the Junior E Blacks alumni network
A direct line to the senior team.
Junior E Blacks is the formal feeder programme to the senior E Blacks. NZ Esports maintains records of every cohort member's development, creating a long-term view of player growth that informs future national team decisions. Selection does not guarantee a senior call-up. It puts you in the room.
Eligibility
Who can apply.
Selection is by panel and nomination. Meeting the criteria is the starting point.
Enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school.
Year 9 through Year 13.
Aged 13 to 18 at time of selection.
Participated in the 2026 NZSS league.
This is the primary entry point. Players without league history are only considered in exceptional cases.
School and caregiver consent to participate.
Good academic standing, confirmed by your school.
Willing to sign the Junior E Blacks Code of Conduct.
Signed by the player and their caregiver before onboarding.
The Pathway
From your school club to the E Blacks.
A full progression, owned and run by NZ Esports.
01 / Participation
School Club
Managed by your school
02 / Competition
NZSS League
Managed by NZ Esports
View More03 / Development
Junior E Blacks
Managed by NZ Esports
04 / Representation
E Blacks
Senior national team
How the year runs
The 2026 Calendar.
A six-month programme, July to December, with the lead-in starting in May.
For Schools
A pathway you can be proud of.
A student making the Junior E Blacks gives your esports programme the same kind of validation a student making a national sports team or debating squad would.
We provide a complete announcement pack so you can recognise the selection at assembly. We send the school a performance report at the end of the programme and keep you in the loop throughout.
Schools enquiries →For Parents and Caregivers
We take it as seriously as you do.
Junior E Blacks is run by NZ Esports, the national federation for esports in New Zealand. Every selected player signs a code of conduct, alongside their caregiver.
Every player receives a personalised fitness plan and works with a fitness coach across the six months. Wellbeing sessions, nutrition guidance, and academic standing are all built into the programme.
Talk to us →
Frequently
Asked
Questions
No. The programme is national and delivered online. Any secondary school student in New Zealand playing in the NZSS league is eligible to be considered.
NZSS league participation is the primary entry point and the main thing the selection panel considers. Players without NZSS league history are only considered in exceptional cases. The first step for anyone interested in selection is to get into the league.
No. Selected players join the programme at no cost. Where Jetts gym memberships are available, these are provided as a benefit. NZ Esports membership for the programme year is included.
Plan on at least a few hours a week across coaching sessions, VOD review, fitness check-ins, and your own practice. The mid-programme review checks that you are engaging properly.
We work with the region’s best coaches across 1:1 and group sessions. Current E Blacks national players are also brought in as mentors during the programme.
There is a mid-programme review. Players who are not meeting expectations receive a formal notice and a chance to recover. Players who continue to disengage can have their selection reviewed. We want players to succeed, and we will support you.
Each year’s game title is announced in May, ahead of the July intake. We prioritise alignment with active NZSS league titles and, where possible, E Blacks competitive titles, to keep the development thread clear through the pathway.
A selection panel reviews each candidate. The panel is made up of the School Esports Manager, at least one active or former E Blacks player, and the NZ Esports CEO. The panel considers NZSS league performance, in-game conduct, coachability, and a reference from your school.
Ready?
Your path starts in
the NZSS league.
If you are not already signed up to the NZSS league for 2026, that is the first step. League performance is how the selection panel finds you. Register your interest below and we’ll keep you updated through the season.
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