How to Start a High School Esports Team

5 minute read

Over a decade ago, the idea of having an organized student club to play competitive video games, would have been preposterous. However, the ideal school environment is one where the interests, opportunities, and activities available reflect the needs of the entire student body. The latest way to accomplish this and be inclusive to even more students?

The world of esports.

As of  2020, 17 states offered  formal esports teams in schools. Some valuable skills and benefits associated with esports teams in school include:

• Sportsmanship: Similar to the other sports, there’s a big emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and learning to work well with others.
• Communication: Communication and social skills are key as students learn to communicate with their teammates and coaches.
• Social Environment: Traditionally, many gamer kids have a tendency to isolation, belonging to an esports opens a new world for these students to have a sense of community.
• Critical Thinking: Students get strategic as they assess competitions and determine their own game plans. Plus, add the technology framework esports resides in.

Bear in mind, no state has yet sanctioned gaming as an official sport. Because of this, all organized high school esports teams are run as clubs rather than as “school sponsored” sports. This may soon change, as organizations like the High School Esports League (HSEL), the High School Starleague (HSL), and North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) continue to actively lobby school districts to elevate esports to the level of schools’ traditional sports.

So where do we begin? There are steps to accomplish this, however, check first with your schools administrators or school district. Let's get started:

Finally, being part of a high school team provides a pathway to college. Around 175 (2021) colleges now offer esports programs / scholarships, with many more on the horizon. 

STEM Fuse course catalog provides two esports courses:  Intro to Esports and Esports: Inside the Game. These will help generate interest as well provide some direction with creating an esports club in your school.

Check out our great webinar - Use Esports to Grow Your CTE Pathway!