The E Blacks are New Zealand’s national esports team. We represent Aotearoa on the world stage in competitive gaming, and we’re always keen to hear from players and coaches who want to be part of what we’re building. There’s no single mould for an E Blacks athlete, but the players and coaches who thrive in our programme tend to share three qualities:
Your Pathway to the E Blacks
If you're still at school, your first step is competing in a school esports league. NZ Esports runs national school competitions across multiple titles, and this is where we first start watching for talent coming through. Talk to your school about getting involved, or get in touch with us if your school doesn't have a programme yet.
For school-aged players who are already competing at a high level, the Junior E Blacks programme is a development pathway that sits alongside school competition. It's designed to give younger talent exposure and prepare them for the senior squad down the track.
Once you've moved on from school, the New Zealand Esports University Series (NZEUS) is the next stage. Tertiary competition is where players sharpen up against tougher opposition and start building a competitive record that selectors can look at.
Local LANs, online ladders, community tournaments, club nights. These all matter. Community competition is where you build references, get known by other players, and prove you can show up week after week. Selectors notice players who are active in the scene.
Once you're holding your own domestically, the next step is competing in wider Oceania (OCE) tournaments. This is where New Zealand players measure themselves against Australia and the rest of the region. Strong OCE results are one of the clearest signals that a player is ready for national selection.
When New Zealand has a campaign coming up, we publish a selection notice for each game title. Depending on the title, selection might happen through open qualifiers, closed trials, community ranking, or panel discretion. This is your chance to become an E Black.
No. We select across a range of competitive levels depending on the title and the event. What matters most is that you’re actively competing, improving, and showing up in the New Zealand scene.
Yes. To be eligible for selection you need to be a current financial member of NZ Esports.
Team New Zealand is the name we use for players selected for online qualifiers, regional events, or preliminary rounds. The E Blacks is reserved for players who qualify to a world stage event and travel internationally to represent New Zealand. It’s the highest honour in New Zealand esports.
It depends on the title and the event. Selection methods include open qualifiers, selective tournaments, closed trials, community ranking, panel discretion, and direct invitation. For each event we publish a selection notice that explains exactly how players will be selected for that title.
We have a full selection policy that sets out exactly how players are chosen to represent New Zealand. It covers eligibility, the different selection methods we use, the role of the selection panel, participation obligations, deselection, and appeals. You can read the NZ Esports Selection Policy here.
You need to be 16 or older at the date of the event. Players aged 16 or 17 will need written parental consent and must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or NZ Esports-approved chaperone for any international travel.
You need to hold a valid New Zealand passport. If you’ve previously represented another country, you may still be eligible, but it will be assessed case by case under the relevant international federation’s rules.
Funding isn’t guaranteed and varies by event. Cost arrangements are communicated at the time of selection. Where costs fall to the player and they’re unable to fund their participation, the position is offered to the next eligible player.
Yes. We value coaching experience at every level, including school, university, club, and community. Tell us your background and what you’d bring, and we’ll take it from there.
Your details go into our talent pool. When a selection window opens for your game, we’ll be in touch if you’re someone we’d like to know more about.
We will also send out communication to the email address you have signed up with to apply for or enter the qualifier if that is the selection process choice.
We can’t promise a personal response to every submission, but every expression of interest is read.
We field New Zealand representation at events through federations like the IESF and GEF, and at additional events like eFIBA. If you compete in another title, still get in touch.
