Match point win in Minecraft competition

An incredible reimagining of Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena in Minecraft earned Year 11 Denmark Senior High School student Bowen Hall first place in the 2024 Australian Open School and All In Block Buster Tennis Challenge.

Run by the Australian Esports League (AEL), in collaboration with Tennis Australia, the competition saw students across the country redesign iconic Australian Open tennis stadiums and incorporate elements such as sustainability, community, and cutting-edge technology into their designs.

With the help of Google Maps and inbuilt measuring tools, Bowen measured the length and distance of the arenas as well as the length of the Minecraft blocks to ensure that the build was a full-size replica. 

“The arenas were the hardest to implement into their blocky counterparts because of the sheer architectural complexity and precision required to allow everything to fit together,” Bowen said. 

“The Google Maps data was also very limited in the arena, so I had to freehand the interiors of the arenas without much reference.” 

Bowen’s design featured new solar panels, solar-powered streetlamps, a giant blimp and recycling stations for drink containers.

“I was inspired by a lot of things when I was building the precinct,” they said. 

“One of the main features was the floating wind turbines that are attached via chain to the buildings below and convert high atmosphere wind to electricity. The wind turbines were inspired from one of my favourite films, Big Hero 6.” 

“Another element that I was inspired by is my real-life job, at Containers For Change. I thought it would be a fun idea to implement my workplace into the precinct, so that people visiting the park have somewhere to donate their empty drink containers.” 

Bowen said they’re extremely proud and excited to win the competition. 

“Being able to call myself the national winner feels incredible. I never even imagined a world or a universe where I would be able to do that, so it still feels like a dream,” Bowen said 

“I was happy with any outcome and was just happy that I got to push myself to such an incredible limit.” 

Bowen said it took just over 100 hours to complete the project. 

Principal Kath Ward said the school staff were so proud of Bowen and their achievements. 

“Bowen gave of their own time to produce such an outstanding entry, resulting in winning both the state and national award for Year 10/11 entries,” she said. 

“The complexity of Bowen's entry displays firsthand the principles and philosophy of STEM education in action. I have no doubt that Bowen has a bright future in this space.” 

Bowen flew to Melbourne to receive the award at the Australian Open and also won tickets to see the AO25 women’s and men’s tennis finals. 

“Being at the Australian Open was amazing. It was so stunning to be able to see what I’d spent hundreds of hours looking at in Minecraft in real life, standing before me,” Bowen said. 

You can read more about the competition on AEL’s website¹.