Australian schools and universities started new years and new esports seasons recently, and with that has come a number of updates to related esports program partnerships. All this plus some new sponsor arrivals for two Australian esports organizations in the latest Australian news roundup.
Xtrfy Signs a New Deal With Grayhound Gaming
Credit: Xtrfy
Australian CS:GO 
esports organization Grayhound Gaming has picked up a new sponsor, with gaming peripherals brand Xtrfy
signing the team after its recent good performance at IEM Katowice.
The Swedish brand is arriving in the market for the first time, with the partnership announcement aligned with the launch into Australian retailers.
“There is mutual respect and encouragement in all aspects, competitively and socially; it’s an honor to partner with and represent a genuinely adored brand to our home country of Australia. We’re working on some exceptionally cool s*** with Xtrfy right now, keep an eye out!” said William Gray, Managing Director at Grayhound Gaming, as part of the announcement.
Kanga Esports Adds Thunder Insurance to its List of Sponsors
Credit: Thunder Insurance
After signing hardware distributor Bluemouth Interactive in February, Australia’s Kanga Esports has added gaming-focused insurance provider Thunder Insurance to its sponsor roster.
The deal sees the team insured by Thunder as part of promoting the company’s offering as a specialist in offering coverage for gaming equipment used in professional environments such as esports and gaming cafes.
Kanga Esports competes across Overwatch Contenders, the FGC, and in the Paladins Pro League.
ACS Sponsors AEL University Cup
Credit: Out Esports
The Australian Computer Society has signed on as the top level Foundation Partner of the Australian Esports League University Cup for 2019.
The ACS is a representative body for IT professionals in Australia, while the AEL University Cup saw 28 universities participate in its 2018 season, with over 1,000 participants across more than half a dozen games, including CS:GO, Dota 2 , Rocket League , Hearthstone , and Clash Royale .
AEL had a number of other recent updates to announce, including a strategic partnership with consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers Australia and the introduction of Rainbow Six Siege to its roster for the 2019 season.
NBA 2K Partners With META High School Esports
Credit: 2K Sports
After a brand overhaul for 2019, META High School Esports has announced it has partnered with 2K to bring NBA 2K to its ANZ high school tournaments this year.
“We’re excited to be working with META to bring this NBA 2K esports tournament to high schools across Australia and New Zealand,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Marketing for NBA 2K, as part of the announcement.
“NBA 2K is a great fit for the high school space as the game is something that everyone understands already,” said META League Commissioner Woody Wu in the press release. “[It] provides the opportunity for students to learn valuable lessons through competition.”
META is owned by the Adelaide Crows Football Club, which also owns the Legacy esports organization.
