Australian platform Valor giving schools the confidence to take on Esports

^Highlights

• More school leaders and parents across Australia are recognising the value of Esports for building transferable skills, and the internationally used Valor Esports Coaching Platform—now expanding support to ten ICT GISP schools in 2026.

More and more school leaders and parents across Australia are recognising the power of Esports programs to build valuable transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, confidence, and digital literacy. These programs not only engage students but also help prepare them for a rapidly evolving digital future.

However, one of the key challenges for schools has been the steep learning curve for teachers stepping into the role of Esports coaches — often on top of their existing teaching commitments.

Queensland-raised Sam Ward has worked to bridge this gap through the development of the Valor Esports Coaching Platform — a tool designed to guide both teachers and students through Esports skill development. Valor enables teachers to focus on student management while the platform provides the structure, resources, and insights needed to coach effectively.

As Mark Savery of Hillcrest College explains:

“Valor gives me the confidence and knowledge to assist my students in a game I’m not confident with myself.”

Beyond gameplay, Valor scaffolds step-by-step coaching activities that nurture essential skills such as communication, collaboration, and persistence. The platform even tracks student progress in these areas — with plans underway to link this data to potential employer pathways, showcasing the real-world value of these transferable skills.

Valor is already making waves in schools across Australia, the USA, and India. With Esports now recognised as part of the Olympic program, Valor is eager to help Queensland schools grow alongside this global movement. In an exciting development, Valor has announced an expansion of its funded grant program, extending support to ten ICT Gateway to Industry Schools program (ICT GISP) schools in 2026.

The ICT Gateway to Industry Schools Project (ICT GISP) fosters partnerships between industry, government, and schools to build Queensland’s future digital workforce. Collaborating with Valor allows the program to further inspire students, strengthen digital learning pathways, and address the growing demand for emerging ICT talent across the state.

At Forest Lake State High School, Head of Department for Digital Technologies MJ Raatz was an early adopter of Valor within their Esports-focused curriculum:

“The benefit for us is a consistent approach which doesn’t rely on the teacher being the expert. Instead, our students often lead the way — choosing their learning pathway, whether beginner or pro. It’s a wonderfully engaging platform that even provides reporting tools so we can easily track student progress.”

Similarly, David Mead from Woree State High School’s Esports Program has seen remarkable results:

“Through the Valor Esport Training platform, our students have transformed their passion into purpose — building confidence, mastering teamwork, and proudly competing in tournaments at regional and state levels.”

Our thanks to Sam Ward and the Valor team for their proactive work in supporting Queensland’s future digital workforce.

Learn more about Valor at valoresports.com.

This ICT GISP project is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government and facilitated by the Australian Computer Society. Learn more at qldictgisp.acs.org.au.