DNA Esports delivers outstanding Spring Clash results
Digital Natives Academy’s esports programme has delivered an exceptional result in the NZ Secondary Schools Esports Spring Clash, with both DNA teams completing the competition without being beaten by any another school.
DNA Yokai finished undefeated with six wins and took out the Spring Clash title, while DNA Kitsune, DNA’s all-girls team, finished fourth overall. Kitsune did not lose to a single school during the competition, with their only defeat coming against fellow DNA team Yokai.
For us, the significance of these results goes well beyond the final standings.
Esports provides a highly engaging platform for rangatahi to build confidence, teamwork, communication, resilience, leadership and digital capability. Players are required to practise consistently, analyse performance, communicate under pressure and work together towards shared goals.
These outcomes are particularly important for young people who may not always connect with traditional sporting or learning environments. Esports gives them another place to experience success, develop a sense of belonging and recognise their own capability.
The performance of DNA Kitsune is also an important outcome for our work to create more inclusive pathways into gaming, technology and digital industries. Girls and young women remain underrepresented in competitive gaming, and seeing our all-girls team performing at this level helps challenge that pattern and creates visible pathways for others to follow.
The results also reflect the significant work of our esports coach, who supports players to develop their technical skills, communication, discipline and ability to operate effectively as a team.
For DNA, this is what meaningful engagement through technology can look like. Rangatahi are not simply playing games. They are learning how to collaborate, compete, lead, manage pressure and commit to something that matters to them.
The Spring Clash results are a strong example of how investment in accessible, technology-based youth development can create both measurable achievement and wider social outcomes for rangatahi.
