On Saturday 1 June, over 100 female school students from Brisbane Schools competed in the inaugural Girls in Gaming eSports Tournament at St Margaret’s, the first event of its kind for Queensland schools.

Organised by Kerry Daud, Head of Faculty- eLearning, Research, Technology and Design, in partnership with St Margaret’s School Partner, Yabbr, the event focused on overcoming the barriers girls face in the world of eSports.

“The Girls in Gaming Tournament is a celebration of the vibrant girls in gaming community and offered the chance to demonstrate their gaming skills and compete in a safe, inclusive, supportive, and supervised space.”

Kerry says that low representation of women in eSports makes it difficult for students to imagine a future in the industry – an industry that is booming in terms of career opportunities.

“We often talk in education about the phrase ‘if you can see it, you can be it’ when showcasing career pathways to students, but in the gaming industry it’s more a case of being difficult ‘to be what you can’t see’.

“That is why we created a networking hub as part of the program, where students can meet and talk to female leaders in the technology industry and learn about the vast career opportunities in gaming and technology,” said Kerry.

Yasmin Sethi (’91) was among a group of Old Girls who attended the event to spectate, mentor, and provide industry connections for current students and visitors.

Reflecting on the event, Yasmin commended the school on hosting events that provide students with the chance to network with and compete against other schools across South-East Queensland, and to interact with professionals from industry.

“I was fortunate to attend the recent Girls in Gaming eSports Tournament as part of the 'Inspiration Station' promoting studies and careers in STEM.

“My passion for developing and promoting women in technology comes from a long-term shortage of female students and professionals taking up STEM-related studies and careers. While I’ve seen the tech industry evolve and broaden during the past four decades, with more women entering the sector (particularly in leadership roles), there is still a gender gap that we must continue to address. Only through the involvement of more girls and women will we ensure a steady pipeline of candidates for roles which are currently going unfilled, support diversity of thought, and enhance creativity and innovation. When girls see other women succeeding in STEM fields, they know the possibilities for them are endless.

“As part of the ‘Inspiration Station’, we had the opportunity to advise some of the students on how to kickstart their careers in the tech sector, provide insights into career pathways they may not have known existed as options for them, and to practise networking with potential employers and mentors in a safe space where they feel supported,” Yasmin said.

The future is looking bright for eSports at St Margaret’s, with the school partnering with communications technology company Yabbr to grow eSports as an extracurricular activity, boost the Girls in Gaming initiative, and provide students with access to mentors and opportunities to develop their skills for a future pathway in the technology industry.

St Margaret’s next Girls in Gaming event will be held on Saturday 19 October 2024. For more details, please contact Lizzie Fowler via LFowler002@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Lizzie Fowler (’19)

Relationships and Mentoring Manager