Students across Australia are invited to rebuild and reimagine the iconic Australian Open precinct within the immersive world of Minecraft Education.
The AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge is open to all students in years four to 11 from across Australia and aims to inspire creativity and teamwork, by emphasising STEM skills and sustainable design and encouraging students to integrate eco-friendly features.
The prize pool for the Challenge is worth over $25,000 and winners will be announced in December. The national champions will be flown to Melbourne in January for an unforgettable AO experience including a money-can’t-buy Rod Laver Arena court walk and behind-the-scenes tour, a player meet and greet, and a photoshoot with the AO trophies.
The AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge is a collaboration with the Australian Esports League (nAEL) as part of its Minecraft Education Esports Program in Schools. Esports continue to become more mainstream, with the Olympics running an esports event in 2025 and schools increasingly recognising the benefits of setting up dedicated esports labs.
“The Australian Open has long always been at the forefront of innovation in sports and community engagement,” says Ridley Plummer, Tennis Australia’s Senior Manager Digital Sales and Metaverse.
“The AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to engage young minds and bring the spirit of the Australian Open to a new generation. We are excited to see how students creatively reimagine one of tennis’s most iconic venues within the world of Minecraft.
“Schools play a crucial role in the tennis ecosystem in Australia, by nurturing young talent, fostering a love for the sport, and building the foundation for future champions.”
Making problem-solving fun
By participating in the Challenge, students will use their creativity and problem-solving skills to reimagine the Australian Open precinct, capturing its essential features while incorporating their innovative ideas. The project emphasises sustainable design, encouraging students to integrate eco-friendly features such as
renewable energy sources, green roofs, and water conservation systems. Through this interactive project,
students will enhance their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills, learn about
environmental responsibility and develop teamwork and communication abilities.
In the spirit of inclusion, there will also be an ‘ALL IN’ Tournament for home schooled students across Australia wanting to enter a build submission individually. Students whose school cannot submit teams are also encouraged to enter through the ‘ALL IN’ Tournament.
“By partnering with the Australian Open, we are taking our Minecraft Education Esports Programs to a new level, merging the excitement of esports with the creativity of Minecraft and the passion of tennis,” says Sarah Jae, Director of the Australian Esports League.
“This initiative not only promotes important educational values but also inspires the next generation of digital and sports enthusiasts. We look forward to seeing the incredible designs that students from across the country will create.
“Together with the AO, we can’t wait to welcome tens of thousands of students on this exciting journey to blend education, Australia’s love of tennis, and the boundless creativity of Minecraft.”
Participation details:
- Students in years four to eleven, in teams of two, three or four are welcome
- Timeline: Registrations close 25 October 2024
- Submission guidelines: Participants must submit their Minecraft world file along with a brief
presentation explaining their design choices and innovative features - Prizes: Winners will receive exclusive prizes and trophies, and their winning submissions will be
showcased on the AO website and social channels. The national champions will be flown to Melbourne
for an unforgettable AO experience. The grand prize includes a money-can’t-buy Rod Laver Arena court walk and behind-the-scenes tour, a player meet and greet, and a photoshoot with the AO trophies.
