(STL.News) Trinity Area School District has become one of the first in the USA to field an esports team.
Located outside the city of Washington in southwestern Pennsylvania, it serves the outlying areas around Pittsburgh.
Esports is one of the fastest-growing sports among high school and college students, not only in the US but globally.
The eSports (Electronic Sports) industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, both as regards the number of viewers and participants but also in terms of revenues generated.
In 2019, it was estimated that 453,8 million viewers watched eSports matches around the country, generating revenues from advertising and sponsorship.
The Covid-19 pandemic did slow this trend down because it limited public eSports events, in contrast to the online casino business, which saw revenues and profits soar during the lockdown, as people turned to them as sources of entertainment, diversion, and release. casinolist.ca
Here are examples of some of the beneficiaries.
Esports has been defined as a professional or semi-professional gaming environment in an organized format, such as a league or tournament, where the objective is to win a prize at the end, such as a cup or monetary reward.
They also have a dedicated audience, with eSports enthusiasts categorized as those who watch professional eSports content more than once a month.
Experts estimate that, in the US alone, more than 90% of teenagers are active gamers.
And the line between physical and eSports is becoming increasingly blurred. For example, when the Formula One season was suspended due to the global pandemic last year, several drivers, like George Russell, Alex Albon, and Charles Leclerc, swapped their helmets for their consoles and took up televised virtual racing instead.
Trinity Areas is hoping to ride the wave of popularity for eSports with its new initiative.
During each semester of the 2021-22 school year, they plan courses that will familiarise students with topics such as the role of industry game developers, their responsibilities, and their influences.
Another reason for Trinity and other high schools is the opportunities they offer for those who hope to attend college later. There are currently more than 170 colleges around the country – and the number is growing – which now have varsity programs.
And like sporting programs that try to tempt the best basketball, soccer, or tennis players to join their teams, they are willing to try and entice the best high school gamers with attractive scholarship openings.
Not all will make it as professional eSports players, but there are various other future career opportunities available in the industry, such as marketing, coaching, business management, and game development.
To help with the program, Trinity High School has created a dedicated state-of-the-art classroom equipped with all the aspiring eSports student neds – the latest computers and software, lighting, cameras, video game cards, and broadcasting facilities.
Currently, there are around 30 students who form part of Trinity’s eSports team, and they compete against other local teams In Pennsylvania and neighboring States in games like Rocket League, League of Legends, and Super Smash Brothers unlimited.