A brand-new sports tournament was held recently in the Chilliwack School District, but instead of taking place on a field or in a gymnasium, this one was onstage, in a school theatre using TV screens.
The inaugural Chilliwack Esports Classic took place last week (Feb. 20) at G.W. Graham Secondary School (GWG). 'Esports' stands for electronic sports. It's an activity where students compete in organized video game competitions under the guidance of their schools, and it's quickly gaining popularity.
"Instead of balls we use controllers," said Chris Bonshor, esport coach for GWG. "The teamwork, camaraderie, competition, skill building, community connections, all that stuff, they are all things that we develop through esports. Just we don't go outside and run around."
Bringing esports into schools can create a pathway to connect students with education and career opportunities in STEM. There are opportunities in Canada to participate in provincial and national esports leagues.
On the day of the event, 24 teens from GWG, Chilliwack Secondary School and Sardis Secondary School battled it out playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It's a one-on-one combat game where players try to knock their opponent off a platform.
One student describes Super Smash Bros. as "A good chunk of gaming icons and Nintendo nobodies punching each other in the face."
While it may look like the students are just staring at a screen playing video games, the coaches say it's much more than that.
"Kids are going to sit and stare at screens anyway. At least this way they're developing some really important useful skills like how to work together, how to navigate conflict, how to build skills that matter," Bonshor said. "Having those skills that these kids are developing 香蕉视频直播� that confidence in themselves, their ability to take on a difficult thing and be successful with it 香蕉视频直播� that's going to be useful to them regardless of where they end up."
Jenny Cho, a teacher of applied design, skills, and technologies at GWG, said that the schools in Chilliwack cater to a lot of different students with different interests.
香蕉视频直播淓sports is a great way to engage more students in the school community. It gives students an opportunity to strategize, problem-solve, and take leadership roles within the school," Cho said.
Students from GWG's broadcast production program were also a major part of the tournament. A team of 20 kids filmed the entire competition and livestreamed it on YouTube. They also had two live commentators, and a floating film team interviewing players and coaches. Cheers and applause could be heard from the crowd as players won each round.
"This is like a work experience for them香蕉视频直播� we try to make everything industry standard," said broadcast production teacher Gareth Clarke.
The commentators did a great job keeping the the crowds excited and the players pumped up as they were waiting for their turns, Bonshor added.
The students competed individually in the double-elimination style tournament 香蕉视频直播� it's teen versus teen, not school versus school. The top player took home a trophy and the Chilliwack Esports Classic Cup went to the top player's school to have for the year.
GWG launched its esports club at the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year. Students play Super Smash Bros., Rocket League, and Minecraft, and next year their coaches hope to expand to include Mario Kart 8.
