Our Kyle the reigning Hearthstone champion!
Kyle Voster who has earned his colours in e-sports want to encourage others to also join the sport.
Kyle Vorster from Monument Primary School is the current SA Champion for the Primary School section for the HearthStone
esports title.
Colin Webster, General Secretary of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) said, “MSSA is of the firm opinion that, in order for e-sports to take its rightful place among the other established sports, the code of e-sports must be promoted at all school levels.”
With this in mind MSSA holds championships for primary school learners each year. Kyle has been competing in e-sports since 2019 and Colin said it came as no surprise when he won on June 26.
In the past year Kyle who is a Grade 7 learner earned his national colours as well as Gauteng Provincial and Gauteng Provincial Colours for Primary Schools.
“I am honoured to have opened a door of opportunity for fellow students by being the first student in Monument Primary School’s history to earn a SA National Sports merit for e-sports,” he said.
Kyle plays Hearthstone, a digital collectible card game, when he has free time during the week and this counts as training for tournaments.
The game also regularly have updates where they remove some cards and bring new ones into rotation.
“Whenever this happens you have to spend more time building new decks and test out new strategies against all the different classes by challenging players from all over the world,” he said while explaining his training.
His favourite character is the Merlock Shaman, because it best suits his play style. He explained that he likes to rush his opponent before they have time to build up their decks and get stronger cards.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t always play out that way because you can’t predict which cards you will draw and then you have to come up with a new strategy on the spot and outsmart them with the cards that you have in your hand.”
More schools are starting to recognise e-sports as a sport and he said this makes tournaments more challenging and competitive. Alternatively this also makes them more exciting and you feel more accomplished when you win.
So what is next for Kyle?
“I’m eligible to take part in the National Team Trials in August this year and it would be a dream come true to be selected for the 2021/2022 National Protea e-sports Squad.”
Kyle said he will recommend e-sports to everyone because it is fun and exciting and contrary to popular belief you don’t always need a fancy computer or console to play.
“Hearthstone and Clash Royale are mobile games, which can be played on a tablet or a phone like I do.”
He hopes to inspire more people to take up the sport.
