New Zealand’s national esports team, the E Blacks, will tour overseas for the first time when they travel to Malaysia on 14 June, a week of training, competition and sport diplomacy that marks a milestone for the national esports programme. The touring delegation features New Zealand’s Dota 2 team and its eFootball player.
The tour is funded by NZ Esports, with no government contribution, and sees a national side prepare overseas in the same way established New Zealand sporting teams do. Taking the E Blacks abroad to train, compete and represent the country is a significant step for the programme and for the sport’s standing internationally.
Sport diplomacy sits at the centre of the week. While in Kuala Lumpur, the E Blacks will visit the New Zealand High Commission and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysian Esports Federation, a formal agreement setting out an ongoing framework for cooperation between the two countries. The relationship is intended to open doors for New Zealand players, coaches and officials well beyond this tour.
“Sending a national team overseas to train, compete and represent the country is a real step forward for esports in New Zealand,” said Jonathan Jansen, CEO of NZ Esports. “The agreement we sign in Kuala Lumpur matters as much as the matches, because the relationships we build this week will outlast the tour and open doors for our players, coaches and officials.”
The squad will spend the opening days in a structured bootcamp, sharpening team strategies and individual skills. The week concludes with a live test match on Friday 19 June in Dota 2, the five-on-five strategy game played by millions worldwide, against one of Southeast Asia’s most established national teams, streamed on NZ Esports channels.
The timing also suits the team’s competitive calendar. New Zealand contests an Esports Nations Cup regional qualifier the following week, so the tour doubles as final reparation against strong international opposition.
“Most New Zealanders still do not realise the country has national esports teams representing it overseas. A tour like this, and the partnership we are building with Malaysia, is how that starts to change,” said Conor English, President of NZ Esports.
The E Blacks are supported by principal partner Kia New Zealand and supporting sponsor Burger King.
