At first, Ben Green didn’t want to go. Crowds made the eleven-year-old from Broomfield uneasy, and meeting new people felt overwhelming, especially without his mom or dad nearby. But after a year at Valhallan Esports Training, things look different.
“They helped me get better at Fortnite and taught me how to switch from an Xbox controller to using a keyboard and mouse,” Ben says, smiling. “And it’s fun to see my friends every week at practice and competitions.”
His mom, Robin Green, has also noticed a change.
“Ben has always been friendly, but he really didn’t like to go into big groups and meet people,” she shares. “Over the last year, he’s been more willing to try something new with people he doesn’t know and start talking with them. We see him encouraging his teammates and friends even more,” she beams.
“And because of the coaching, Ben has gotten much better at the game. I used to beat him at Fortnite, but I don’t stand a chance anymore. Even my husband is lucky to beat him once in a while,” Robin adds, laughing.
Stories like Ben’s show why esports have come out of the shadows and taken center stage at Broomfield’s Valhallan Esports Training. Built to normalize esports, it’s a safe, fun environment that teaches gaming skills alongside character and life lessons. The playing field just happens to be a computer monitor, and your teammate might live across town or in another country.
Esports team competitions of games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and League of Legends can be played anytime and anywhere, making them incredibly accessible. Often, the only equipment needed is a gaming computer, keyboard, and monitor—things many families already have. And unless someone tips over a chair, the risk of injury is minimal. Still, gaming affects the body in its own way.
“Eye strain from staring at a screen is a significant issue. At last week’s practice, we discussed the need to take a break every twenty minutes to focus on something else twenty feet away for twenty seconds. It might sound simple, but it’s easy to forget during the action,” says Kane, a professional Fortnite coach at Valhallan.
Other healthy topics include giving constructive feedback, regulating emotions (take a deep breath and step away), and preventing a toxic environment (no name-calling or yelling). Coaches quickly correct players who disrupt the group.
Finding the right coaching balance keeps Kane motivated.
“We infuse fun into practice to keep younger players engaged because they lose interest if things get too serious. The older players often take things too seriously, so we remind them it’s still a game—it’s supposed to be fun!”
Owen Wilson, Valhallan’s arena manager, sees how fast students open up.
“I’ve talked to parents who worry their child is too shy or withdrawn to fit in. It’s cool to see how quickly they make friends once they start playing.”
Players wear jerseys with their screen names for competitions. VH Coins are another fun part of the program—awarded for good behavior, being coachable, and showing progress, but never just for winning. Coins can be redeemed for merchandise or experiences.
Many parents don’t realize the bonding opportunities video games offer.
“In traditional sports, young kids can’t compete at their parents’ level. But in esports, they can easily play alongside mom and dad. And parents whose glory days are behind them might rediscover fun through gaming,” explains Owen.
Screen time has become a huge part of childhood, so making it positive matters more than ever. Balanced gaming and character-building programs help parents do just that. Whether the goal is to join a high school esports team, earn a college scholarship, or just have fun, the focus stays on healthy growth.
Robin Green is a believer. “Valhallan helps players learn to interact with others in a low-risk environment, be prepared for the online world, and have fun doing so!”
What’s your game?