Why Start an Esports Club?

Esports brings students together in a way that many traditional activities do not. Clubs support teamwork, communication, and problem solving. They also give students a reason to show up, especially those who feel disconnected from school.

Schools that run esports clubs report:

• Higher engagement

• Fewer discipline issues

• Stronger relationships between students

• Increased attendance

A year long attendance study in New Jersey showed that esports participants had fewer absences than non participants. Average absences dropped from 10.84 days to 9.10 days. Schools regained 259.5 student days and protected about 20106 dollars in ADA equivalent funding. This gives leaders a clear reason to support esports as a Tier 1 engagement strategy.

Don’t take our word for it; watch Olivia Calistus from G2 Esports' League of Legends female team, one of the most recognized esports organizations in the world, and her journey from high school esports to a professional athlete.

Chris Aviles, who founded New Jersey's largest scholastic esports organization, Garden State Esports, shares his insights on the impact of esports clubs and programs: "When students have something they're excited about at school, be it an inspiring teacher, an interesting class, or an extracurricular activity like esports, they're more inclined to attend. Integrating esports into schools is akin to making broccoli more appealing by adding chocolate. Esports, much like traditional sports, serves as that 'chocolate,' attracting students who might not otherwise be enthusiastic about school."

6 Steps to Start Your Esports Club

1. Recruit a Teacher or Staff Sponsor

Find a teacher or staff member who sees the benefits of esports in school and is willing to serve as the club sponsor. They do not need gaming experience. They only need to organize meetings, maintain expectations and support communication.

If the sponsor wants help learning games or structure, prebuilt curriculum and basic coaching guides save time and reduce the learning curve. Let your IT staff know early so they can support devices and network needs.

2. Get School Approval

Work with school administrators to get the club officially approved. This step is crucial for accessing school resources and facilities. Approval ensures you can use school space, devices, and scheduling support. When meeting with administrators, keep the message simple and factual. Focus on benefits of esports:

• Improved engagement

• Stronger attendance

• Positive school culture and climate

• Connections to CTE pathways

Districts can use CTE, Perkins, and state funds when esports aligns with digital media, networking, game design, or cybersecurity pathways. This makes approval easier because leaders can tie the club to clear educational goals. Another trick is to communicate the educational and developmental benefits of esports and its alignment with 21st-century skills with your school administration. Such as communication, collaboration, social and cultural skills, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, productivity in a globalized world, learning-to-learn skills, self-direction, planning, flexibility, risk-taking, conflict management, and a sense of initiative and entrepreneurship.

3. Solve Basic Logistics

There's a common belief that starting an esports program requires a large investment, but that's not the case. You can find a way to make it work, no matter your budget. Many clubs start with what they already have, like Chromebooks, existing computer labs, repurposed devices after school hours or even a "bring your own device" policy for both staff and students. 

What's more, many popular esports games, including titles like Rocket League and League of Legends are free to play. Most clubs begin with one device, a stable internet connection, and a room to meet. To give you an idea, setting up with a Nintendo Switch and a copy of Super Smash Bros. could cost under $500, which is more than enough to get a club or competition off the ground.

4. Establish Rules

Create clear and fair club rules that outline expectations, behavior, and responsibilities. This is crucial for fostering a positive and respectful atmosphere within the club. Tackle important topics like managing screen time, maintaining academic standards, and upholding sportsmanship. It’s essential that everyone involved, including club participants, their parents, and educators, understands these rules. As a starting point, you can use the Good Luck, Have Fun Pledge.

5. Advertise and Recruit Students

Get the word out about your new club using flyers, social media posts, and school-wide announcements. Students know who else plays games, so encourage them to invite friends. Highlight that the club is open to everyone, not only competitive players. Many students join because they want a place to participate without pressure.

One of the most effective strategies for promoting the club and engaging potential members is through conducting a student interest survey. Here’s an example for you to check out.

6. Launch the First Club Meeting

Kick things off with a first meeting that sets the stage for what's to come. Use this time to introduce the club's mission, outline the year's objectives, and get to know each member. This initial gathering is the perfect opportunity to discuss the structured training sessions, upcoming events, and any immediate goals the club hopes to achieve. Make it interactive with ice-breaker activities that allow members to share their gaming interests and experiences. This foundational meeting is key to building club cohesion and excitement right from the start.

An esports club or gaming club serves as a gateway to engaging a broad spectrum of students in an area they are passionate about. Beyond the joy of gaming, these clubs offer students a positive and supportive environment in which to find their community and develop essential soft skills that will serve them well in college and in their future careers.

How to Start an Esports Team in Middle and High School

Many middle and high schools are embracing the competitive gaming scene, offering students an exciting extracurricular activity. But how do you get started building your own team within the school environment? Luckily, starting an esports team in middle school or high school will be easier after you have established your esports club.  So, Let’s take quick a look at what else you might need to do. 

Middle school and high school esports teams differ mainly in terms of skill levels, educational content, competition intensity, and the degree of involvement required from participants and supporters.

Middle school teams focus more on foundational skills, digital citizenship, and local, participation-driven competitions, emphasizing age-appropriate content and a balanced commitment to cater to younger students' broad interests as well as a higher degree of parental involvement. Furthermore, extracurricular activities have a positive impact on students’ academic motivation and achievement during the transition to high school.

High school teams, on the other hand, engage in more strategic skill-refinement activities with opportunities for national and international competitions. They peek into esports careers and foster greater student leadership and autonomy. Both levels prioritize teamwork and inclusivity but tailor their approaches to fit the developmental and educational stages of their members.  These types of extracurricular activities build on top of the student clubs, increase the likelihood of attaining a college degree by 10%, and look great on applications, especially when these activities are aligned with student interests.  

1. Select a Game

Choose one game that students are interested in and that fits your devices and internet strength. If interest is high, you can have multiple teams or multiple titles.

2. Create the Team

Recruit through surveys or tryouts. Make expectations clear. Members need to show up for practice, follow rules, and maintain academic standards.

3. Build a Practice Schedule

Plan regular sessions that include

• Gameplay

• Strategy review

• Communication drills

• Wellness check ins

A consistent schedule helps students improve without overwhelming them.

4. Join Local Leagues or Events

Start small. Look for teacher led leagues in your state, local school competitions, or friendly matches with nearby schools. This builds confidence before entering larger tournaments.

5. Identify Coaching and Support Roles

A teacher or staff member provides structure and oversight. Students often help as analysts, captains, and support roles. This teaches leadership and organization.

How Many Players Are On An Esports Team?

There is no single set number for all esports teams. The number of people can vary widely depending on the game being played. Many competitive esports titles are team-based, with common team sizes being as follows:

• Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games like League of Legends or Dota 2 typically require teams of 5 players.

• First-person shooter (FPS) games, such as Overwatch, also often have teams of 5 players

• Battle Royale games like Fortnite can have varying team sizes, often ranging from solo players up to squads of 4.

• Sports simulation games such as FIFA or NBA 2K can vary from 1 to 5 players on a team, depending on the tournament rules.

• Fighting games and some individual strategy games, like StarCraft II, are generally 1v1, though teams may consist of several players who compete in different matches within a tournament.

Building an Inclusive Esports Community

An esports club creates a place where students feel connected and motivated. It supports attendance, builds teamwork, and opens opportunities for careers in technology, media, and design. With simple steps and a clear structure, any school can start a club that fits its resources and goals.

If you want support for curriculum, structure, or planning, please schedule a 15 minute meeting with us. We can help you decide what works best for your school.