Esports in Schools: Inside the 2025 Acer Predator League Academy Grand Final

Once dismissed as a distraction, gaming is fast becoming one of the most exciting new tools for education. Across Australia and New Zealand, schools are embracing esports as a legitimate way to develop vital 21st-century skills like teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking.

The Australian esports industry is booming, projected to grow from USD 1.8 billion in 2025 to USD 6.7 billion by 2031, and structured school programs are emerging as a key pathway for students to transform their passion for gaming into real-world skills. From problem-solving under pressure to collaborating with teammates in high-stakes matches, competitive gaming is giving young people the chance to build capabilities that extend far beyond the screen.

One of the standout initiatives leading this change is the Acer Predator League Academy (APLA), an innovative esports program bringing structured and social gaming competitions into high schools. Now in its second year, the 2025 APLA season saw 52 teams from 35 schools across Australia and New Zealand battle it out over two terms. The competition culminated in a thrilling trans-Tasman grand final, streamed live on the Acer ANZ YouTube channel, showcasing just how far school esports has come.

In a high-intensity VALORANT showdown, New Zealand’s Westlake Boys High School claimed victory over Victoria’s Vermont Secondary College, taking out the title of 2025 Acer Predator League Academy champions. It was a proud Kiwi win and a sign of a growing Australia–New Zealand rivalry that’s shifting from rugby fields to gaming arenas.

“The Acer Predator League Academy has been a fantastic experience for our students. Competing in such a high-level tournament has really motivated our students to refine their teamwork, strategy, and communication, all while doing something they love,” said Simon O’Brien, Head of Digital Technologies and Teacher in Charge of eSports at Westlake Boys High School. “The program gives schools a great platform to recognise the value of esports as a space where students can grow skills that go well beyond gaming.” 

Each member of the winning team took home a Swift Go 14 AI laptop, while Westlake Boys High School received five Predator Helios Neo 16S AI laptops to support its ongoing esports program. The runner-up, Vermont Secondary College, also scored Predator gaming monitors for its players and classroom use.

As esports continues to surge in popularity, programs like the Acer Predator League Academy are redefining what learning looks like in the digital age. By combining technology, teamwork, and healthy competition, schools are creating new opportunities for students to thrive, both in-game and in life.