University of Auckland B Go Undefeated in Inaugural Tertiary Esports Clash

The University of Auckland B team emerged victorious in the first-ever Tertiary Esports Clash, an online Valorant tournament hosted by the University of Waikato that brought together some of New Zealand’s top student gamers.

The competition featured five teams from across Aotearoa — University of Auckland A, University of Auckland B, AUT, University of Waikato A, and University of Waikato B — who battled it out in a round-robin format before progressing to the knockout rounds.

The University of Auckland B team impressed early, going undefeated through the round robin phase to secure a top seed heading into the semifinals. They continued their dominant form with a decisive win over University of Waikato A in the semifinal, before facing their counterparts, University of Auckland A, in a highly anticipated all-Auckland final.

Led by captain Shyam Sharma, the B team maintained composure and teamwork to claim the championship title.

“It was exciting to compete in the first-ever Tertiary Esports Clash and see the level of talent across NZ,” said Sharma. “The event brought a great mix of competition and community, and our team really enjoyed the atmosphere.”

Reflecting on what set his team apart, Sharma credited their success to calm communication and adaptability under pressure.

“Our strength was communication and consistency,” he explained. “We focused on keeping calm under pressure, adapting quickly to different opponents, and supporting each other’s playstyle. That teamwork and adaptability really helped us stand out.”

The tournament, organised and managed by the University of Waikato’s Esports Coordinator Sam Johnson, highlighted the growing presence of esports within New Zealand’s tertiary landscape and the opportunities it creates for students to represent their universities in competitive gaming.

“The University of Waikato was proud to help bring tertiary esports to life, with our own esports club and high school leagues running smoothly, the Tertiary Esports Clash was our next step in the journey of leading esports in New Zealand. It was amazing to see the commitment and drive of the students creating some fierce competition and we are looking forward to making the Clash bigger and better in 2026!”

The University of Auckland will be back on-board next year, with Sharma saying his team is already looking forward to future competitions.

“We’d love to participate again — it was a great learning experience and a lot of fun,” he said. “I’d definitely encourage other tertiary students to join in next time; it’s a fantastic opportunity to connect, compete, and represent your institution.”

With its combination of competition, collaboration, and community, the inaugural Tertiary Esports Clash marks an exciting step forward for the growth of student esports across Aotearoa.