RMIT University crowned the inaugural UniSport Australia Esports Champions

The 2020 UniSport Australia Esports Championships (UAEC) wrapped up on Wednesday 9 September, following seven weeks of competition across three titles: Rocket League, FIFA 20 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The UAEC is the first UniSport hosted multi esport competition contributing to an overall champion university.

The finals week began on Monday with Rocket League taking centre stage. Griffith University (GU), Macquarie University (MQU) and RMIT University (RMIT) each entered the finals bracket unbeaten in the group stages. All three universities were joined by RMIT’s second team in the final four after comfortable wins. It was GU (4-1 winners against RMIT 2) and RMIT 1 (4-0 winners against MQU) continuing their mastery and progressing to the grand final.

The best-of-five grand final started in tense fashion with the series level after two matches. It was GU represented by Jordan ‘Noizee#4020’ Zeinert (Bachelor of Business), Jamie ‘Paradise#8818’ McGillan (Bachelor of Engineering) and Hamish ‘Potato#7062’ Holden (Bachelor of Information Technology) who came out as eventual 4-1 winners taking home the inaugural UAEC Rocket League competition.

On Tuesday FIFA 20 took place with RMIT and Victoria University (VU) entering the finals series undefeated in the group stage. VU swiftly advanced to the semi-finals after a Deakin University (DEAK) drop out with Southern Cross University (SCU) advancing to face them. In the second semi-final, it was RMIT and Australian Catholic University (ACU) advancing to the final four. There was no stopping VU (3-0 against SCU) and RMIT (2-1 against ACU) who both continued their winning streak.

It appeared there was a chance of an upset when the first game of the best-of-three was won by RMIT but it was VU represented by Brandon ‘don_dada996’ Luseno (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering), Zeeshan ‘ZeeLegend007’ Siddiqui (Bachelor of Engineering), Andrenz ‘RockyP10’ Arfianto (Bachelor of Information Technology) and Carlo ‘Alderuccio747’ Alderuccio (Bachelor of Music) who came from behind to complete an unbeaten campaign and prevail as UAEC FIFA 20 champions.

The UAEC entered its final day of competition with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was Monash University (MON) who dominated their respective groups with both of their teams finishing undefeated (10-0). Monash 2 completed the group stage without dropping a single set, winning all 30 on their way to the finals. It was a similar story in the finals with both Monash teams progressing through to the semi-finals and joined by The Australian National University (ANU) and DEAK. Semi-final one started with ANU taking the first game before MON 1 took control and advanced to the grand final. They were joined by their fellow MON 2 who comfortably advanced over DEAK.

This set up an all Monash final with both teams battling for campus bragging rights. As was the case throughout the competition MON 2 represented by Alex ‘Alex’ Nguyen (Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science), Ernest ‘EL’ Lam (Bachelor of Arts), Binyamen ‘RaZe’ Bin Yousuf (Bachelor of Education Primary and Secondary) and Connor ‘MAST!’ Kinkhead (Bachelor of Commerce) continued their supremacy with a comfortable 3-0 victory over their university counterparts. MON 2 completing an outstanding campaign, finishing the competition as champions.

The overall champion was determined across all three titles with RMIT University (24 points) narrowly topping Monash University (18 points), and Griffith University (12 points) rounding out the podium. RMIT’s victory etches their name into the history book as the inaugural UAEC champions but after the excitement of the competition there are no doubt going to be other universities eager to challenge for the crown in 2021!

The 2020 UAEC were held in conjunction with the Australian Esports League (AEL) who are excited by the possibilities in the university esport space.

Reg Torr, AEL Esports Director elaborated by saying “It is incredible to see so many students come together representing not only their team but their university in the championships. This is a great step towards the future of esports in the university space by creating a meaningful and well governed tournament that is accessible to all.”

UniSport Australia Project Manager – Nationals, Natalie Broom says, “It’s been fantastic to expand our esports offerings and provide wider opportunities to our students, particularly during the challenging times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

UniSport wishes to thank the AEL for their continuous support in delivering the inaugural UAEC and look forward to developing the future of esports in the university sporting landscape.

View full results: https://www.unisport.com.au/uaec