It’s Saturday evening and you’re sunburnt, tired, and hungry because you spent most of the day on the soccer field watching your kids kick a ball (if they were lucky enough to play). Maybe you were at the baseball field, swimming pool, or tennis courts instead, but the reason was still the same: you love your children and have them in team sports. It’s a great way for them to make friends, exercise and compete.
But what if your kid would rather sit in his bedroom all day and play video games? Not everyone is an athlete in the traditional sense.
“Esports teams can be a terrific alternative for families facing those challenges,” remarks Wayne McCulloch, the owner of Valhallan Esports Training in Broomfield at 3800 W 144th Ave. “All types of students can become Esports superstars.”
Video gaming, played online with a team of 2-5 players, is a burgeoning activity set to explode in popularity worldwide. Currently there are an estimated 318 million Esports enthusiasts plus another 322 million occasional viewers according to Statista.com. Schools have embraced this trend, with most large high schools and universities forming Esports teams or clubs, such as the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. Your child could one day be cheered on by game lovers around the world while competing online!
Great. Another excuse for your children to skip their homework and play video games. Well, if they are going to put in the screen time anyway, why not try to make it valuable?
“Participation in Esports should be treated as a privilege to be earned, just like any other sports team at school,” advises Wayne who, with his wife Kristi, has two young daughters. “Our programs are much more than just playing video games. We offer classes about Esports broadcasting, shoutcasting (live play-by-play of the gaming action), video game development, event planning, marketing and promotion.” As part of their safety measures, they offer a closed environment which means no people outside the Valhallan network are engaging with the kids. Parent resources are also available to encourage safe gaming at home.
Esports develops skills just like traditional sports do. Problem solving while playing at the breakneck speed of a video game demands logical and critical thinking. Building strong relationships with your teammates and coaches teaches important people skills. Plus, boys and girls can safely play on the same Esports teams since size and strength don’t matter. This tends to foster an appreciation for all types of players and reduce negative stereotypes.
As a true Esports arena, Valhallan uses state-of-the-art computers, monitors, and networks essential for developing the best players possible. Invited family and friends can go to the arena or stream online from anywhere and watch players compete in games like Valorant, Fortnite, and League of Legends.
The best traditional athletes start young and improve through each level of competition. Esports trainers are now partnering with schools to bring the United States up to par with European and Asian countries. There are currently 170 colleges and universities with Esports teams, and many of those have available scholarships that go unfilled. Wayne sees that as an untapped resource. “Imagine your child going to college on a video gaming Esports scholarship!”
Wayne is passionate about the positive effects Esports can have on the next generation of student athletes. The digital world is ever evolving, and it is important that they embrace that technology safely. With Valhallan Esports Training he hopes to create a legacy by helping thousands of students reach their potential in life through the excitement of Esports.