Educator Guide: How to Start an Esports Team at Your School

In today's digital age, esports and competitive gaming have taken the world by storm, captivating students and educators alike. Whether your school already boasts an after-school gaming club or is just beginning to explore the exciting realm of esports, there are ample opportunities to create a competitive program that can thrive and grow. Launching a successful K12 esports team starts with a strong foundation built upon teamwork, strategy, and skill development, all of which contribute to fostering a vibrant gaming community within your school. This guide will provide you with the essential steps to establish and nurture a competitive esports team, setting the stage for exciting tournaments, transferable academic benefits, and a sense of community among players.

Getting Started with Esports at Your School

Gather Together Enthusiastic Gamers

Begin by identifying students who are passionate about gaming.

Statistics indicate that a vast majority of K-12 students play video games regularly, suggesting a large pool of passionate gamers at your school. Many of these students would be excited about the opportunity to join a gaming club or an esports team. Such a community not only allows them to pursue their passion but also creates a safe environment where their skills and interests are recognized. For those students looking to pursue esports professionally, being part of a formal team can provide valuable support and guidance to help them achieve their goals.

• Be open about your love for video games with the students. Find ways to incorporate themes from video games into classwork to identify the most passionate students who would want to help build an esports team.
• If there’s a gaming club on your campus, get involved. Work together with the organizers of the club to gauge interest in taking the club to the next level with regular competition or academic curriculum.
• Put up flyers around the school to recruit interested students.

Get Buy-in from Staff and Administrators

Gaining support from school staff and administrators is critical to obtaining funding and resources. Start by demonstrating that there is substantial interest from both school staff and students to support and maintain a successful esports organization at your school. Some stakeholders may include:

• Teachers or Coaches: Reach out to teachers or coaches who have an interest in gaming or technology; they can provide mentorship, support, and guidance.
• IT Department: Collaborate with the school's IT staff to ensure that there are adequate resources, such as hardware and internet connectivity, to support k12 esports.
• Student Council: Engage with the student council for support in promoting the club, recruiting new teammates, and facilitating events.
• Administration: Schedule meetings with school administrators to discuss the potential benefits of an esports program, such as fostering teamwork, improving student engagement, and building school spirit.

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Present the Benefits of Esports

Some educators and school administrators may be hesitant to endorse gaming in schools unless they understand the value. To effectively garner support, it's essential to communicate the benefits that esports can offer students. Here are some key advantages that highlight the positive impact of esports on school communities:

• Social Connection: Just like a traditional sports team, being part of a gaming community fosters friendships and collaborative skills, helping students develop important social-emotional skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork. These connections can enhance their ability to manage emotions and navigate interpersonal relationships both in and out of the gaming environment.
• Skill Development: Competitive gaming in a team setting helps students develop strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Furthermore, studies have shown that gamers outperform their non-gaming peers in measures of attention and memory. 
• Inclusivity: Esports promotes inclusivity by offering an engaging platform for students who may not participate in traditional sports. It levels the playing field for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to compete alongside their peers. Adaptive controllers and game designs accommodate various physical limitations, ensuring everyone has a chance to shine. Esports communities foster collaboration and camaraderie among diverse groups, making it a welcoming activity for all.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Increasingly, colleges are offering scholarships for esports players. Over 200 colleges and universities now have esports teams, many of which offer scholarships.

Choose an Esports Game

Select games that students love, and that will get buy-in from parents and staff. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right esports game for your team:

• Student Interest: Assess students' interest levels in various games by using surveys or informal chats. We suggest offering students a choice between three or four pre-selected titles. 
• Age Appropriateness: Evaluate if the games are suitable for the students' age groups. Games like Minecraft, Rocket League, Mario Kart, or Super Smash Bros are great choices for elementary and middle school esports programs. Fortnite, Overwatch, and Valorant are more commonly seen in collegiate and high school esports teams. 
• Team Size: Identify the required number of participants for each game. A game like Rocket League needs teams of three, while something like Overwatch requires five people on a team, not counting the alternates.
• Hardware Requirements: Review the necessary hardware for the selected games. Some games will run on Chromebooks, but most require dedicated devices, such as Windows PCs, Nintendo Switches, Xboxes, or PlayStations. Keep in mind that some games are cross-compatible, meaning students on different devices can play together, but others are not. It’s good to start small and use the resources that are available, before committing to acquiring additional hardware.

Secure the Hardware and Software

To successfully run an esports program, it's crucial to ensure you have the necessary space and equipment. Here's a detailed approach to get you started:

• Consult the IT Department: Contact your IT team to assess the available hardware and software that can support your esports initiatives. They can provide valuable insights into the current capabilities and any upgrades that might be needed. Additionally, if your team ever plans on competing online, you will need their help with your school’s Internet firewall.
• Use Existing Resources: Take advantage of facilities like unused classrooms or computer labs that are already equipped with hardware. These spaces can serve as the foundation for your program, allowing students to practice and compete in a collaborative environment. A long-forgotten supply closet can easily turn into a gaming space with a little bit of elbow grease and an esports poster or two. 
• Consider Consoles: Don’t overlook the potential of gaming consoles. They can often be more budget-friendly than high-end PCs and allow for easy sharing among multiple students, making them a practical option for schools with limited resources. Additionally, some titles are only available on certain devices. For example, Nintendo games can only be played on Nintendo devices.
• Seek Funding: Actively pursue funding opportunities as well as local sponsorships. A variety of state and federal funds are available to support your K12 esports program. This funding can help you acquire additional equipment like high-quality monitors, gaming chairs, or curriculum to harness the academic benefits of esports 

By taking these steps, you can create a well-equipped esports program that fosters teamwork, skill development, and career and college opportunities in Esports and STEM.

Growing your Esports Program

Recruit a Competitive Esports Team

Expand your team and build a strong foundation for competitive play:

• Spread the Word: Utilize school assemblies, announcements, and flyers to generate buzz about your team. Consider creating social media pages or groups to keep everyone informed and connected, making it easier for potential players to learn more about what your team has to offer.
• Hold Tryouts: Organize tryouts to recruit students for specific games and roles on your esports team. Make the process inclusive and welcoming, allowing everyone to showcase their skills. Additionally, consider hosting practice sessions or workshops leading up to the tryouts to help students prepare and feel more confident in their abilities.

Fill Roles in Your Esports Team

Successful esports teams require more than just skilled players to thrive in the competitive gaming landscape. A strong esports team should have:

• Players and Substitutes: It's crucial to have a solid roster filled with talented players and substitutes. This ensures you have enough participants for competitions and allows the team to adapt to different strategies and match situations, maximizing performance and minimizing burnout.
• Coaches: A great coach is more than just a strategist; they motivate, organize, and lead the team. They analyze gameplay to provide valuable feedback, develop training regimens, and foster team cohesion, essential for success in high-pressure environments.
• Shoutcasters: These are the voices of esports, providing live commentary that enhances the viewing experience for fans. Shoutcasters engage the audience with their insights, making matches exciting and accessible, effectively bringing the action to life.
• IT Specialists: Behind every successful esports team is a team of IT specialists. They are responsible for setting up and maintaining hardware and software, ensuring that everything runs smoothly during competitions. Their expertise allows players to focus on the game without technical distractions.
• Marketing/Social Media Managers: Building and maintaining a brand is essential in an esports organization. These team members generate excitement and interest in the team through captivating marketing strategies and active social media engagement, helping to grow the fan base and attract potential sponsors.

Reimagine Esports as a CTE Program

As your bustling esports program grows, start to float the idea of doing esports as a CTE program inside the bell schedule. Esports classes focusing on technical skills like broadcasting, business, or game design are recognized as Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, thereby unlocking additional funding opportunities.

See Example of Esports in CTE:

Robby LaPlante, a teacher at Gilbert Public Schools, has been successfully running an esports program for the past few years, but this year, he is adopting it as a CTE pathway. Countless schools around the country are launching esports programs to compete for prizes and fame but are missing out on fully harnessing the power of "Academic Esports" as a CTE pathway.

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Practice Healthy Gaming and Build Community

It is essential to foster a positive and productive gaming environment in order to have a successful team. Here are some tips:

1. Set Regular Breaks: Encourage players to take scheduled breaks during gaming sessions to prevent fatigue and promote mental clarity. This helps maintain focus and reduces the risk of burnout.
2. Promote Open Communication: Establish a culture of open dialogue among team members to discuss feelings, challenges, and feedback. This fosters trust and strengthens team dynamics.
3. Encourage Physical Activity: Integrate physical exercise into the training regimen, whether through group workouts or encouraging individual fitness routines. Physical health contributes positively to mental well-being.
4. Organize Social Events: Plan team-building activities outside of gaming, such as outings, game nights, or community service events, to strengthen relationships and build camaraderie.
5. Practice Good Nutrition: Educate the team on the importance of a balanced diet, encouraging healthy eating habits that fuel both body and mind for optimal performance.
6. Cultivate a Positive Online Presence: Instill community guidelines that promote respectful interactions among players, emphasizing sportsmanship and kindness in both gameplay and online communications.

By focusing on these aspects, we can create gaming environments that are not only fun but also enriching and supportive of personal growth. Healthy gaming fosters teamwork and collaboration, allowing players to build stronger relationships and communication skills. This not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to a more cohesive and effective team, leading to better outcomes in both gaming and real-life scenarios.

Conclusion

Starting an esports team at your school can open up new opportunities for students to develop skills, build friendships, and engage in healthy competition. With the right approach and resources, your esports program can thrive and become a valuable part of your school community.

Ready to take the next step? Reach out to us to learn more about how we can support your school's esports program!

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