Games for Change is proud to be supporting the Verizon Innovative Learning Esports League in partnership with Verizon. This free scholastic esports league for middle and high schools will enable educators nationwide to engage their students in a safe, toxicity-free environment that combines students’ passion for gaming with a focus on well-being and social-emotional learning. With the help of trained coaches from Vanta Esports, educators will receive comprehensive professional development to support their students from pre-season to the championship. In the spring semester, students will compete in Rocket League, where teams of 3 will head to head in what is best described as “soccer with cars”!

WHY Scholastic Esports?

Scholastic esports refers to organized competitive video gaming within an educational context, typically involving middle school, high school, and college students. These leagues combine the popularity of gaming with the structure and values of traditional scholastic activities like band or soccer. Most importantly, scholastic esports takes something students are truly passionate about and turns it into a productive outlet that can lead to positive student outcomes in collaboration, communication, and leadership.

WHY Verizon Innovative Learning Esports League? 

By joining the Verizon Innovative Learning Esports League, students will be exposed to a world of league competition that can translate into future opportunities such as college scholarships and industry awareness in esports and beyond. We will be working with the esports provider Vanta, who will offer trained coaches and extensive professional development resources for educators to elevate the experience, provide support for students around goal-setting, give and receive feedback productively, navigate team conflict, and much more. Lastly, we are excited to offer two new, flexible ways to engage with our esports programming: Camp Days and Play Days. Camp Days are private scheduled sessions where a Vanta coach will work individually with you and your students. Play Days are non-league scrimmages that give your students additional opportunities to compete!

WHAT THE PROGRAM OFFERS:

👩‍🏫 EDUCATOR TRAINING to support you with standing up a successful esports league with your students.

💪 HEALTH & WELLBEING FOCUS to empower students to give each other feedback, navigate conflict, and manage their emotions in productive ways.

🤝 GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES to build student capacity in soft skills such as collaboration, teamwork, communication, leadership, and more.

📈 PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP to expose students to career opportunities and pathways in esports, technology, and related industries.

🎮 FULLY SCHEDULED SEASON to allow you to focus on supporting your students’ success.

🏆 PLAY-OFFS AND CHAMPIONSHIP to motivate students towards individual and team goals.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Registration Open: November 18th, 2024
Registration Close: February 21st, 2025

Professional Development for Esports Beginners: Week of February 3, 2025
Professional Development Loop for Established Esports Educators: Week of February 10, 2024

Pre-Season Start: February 10th, 2025
Season Start: February 24th, 2025
Play-offs Start: April 21st, 2025
Championship & Season End: May 16, 2025

Sign Up Today!

QUESTIONS? Please email us: [email protected]