eSports continue to grow in popularity, and more and more teens are looking to join eSports teams. With the opportunities for college and university scholarships growing, getting involved in a middle school, high school, or community-based eSports team can be a great way to build skills, grow networks, and develop player profiles that are attractive to college eSports coaches.
Ever wonder how to start an eSports team or club at your local organization or school? Here are some tips that can get you started in the right direction.
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Step 1 for Building an eSports Team – Identify the Game or Games that Are Best Suited for Your Skills
It’s likely you or your child gamer has already started to excel at a particular game like Rocket League, League of Legends, or Valorant. This talent for gaming can pique an interest in forming a local club or even a competitive team.
Try focusing on a specific game, as this can help you get started when it comes to building up a team. Players with a common interest in the game will gather, and everyone will come together to get started.
Teams often fail when there is a split interest in different games. It’s the combined interest that can really drive initial success.
Excluding people is a great way to kill a team or club, so if there are players who want to focus on a different game than the initial one that is chosen, encourage that member or members to recruit more players for the team or club. Try not to leave anyone out!
Step 2 for Building an eSports Team – With a Game in Mind, Recruit Players Who Are Interested in Playing
The next step is to find fellow players. Ask around school, talk to your friends who are gamers, and find people in your local organizations who might be interested in playing on the team.
Keep in mind that if it’s a school team, you will likely need to find students that go to your school. If there aren’t enough players, it might be possible to expand the search to other schools within the district and form a district-wide team.
If you aren’t looking to stay school specific, you can use tools online like Teams.gg to find other interested players.
Step 3 for Building an eSports Team – Find a Coach or Organization Representative
If the goal is to be an official team, like a high school team, the players will need to contact the administration and often find a teacher or administrator who is willing to be the organizational representative or coach for the team. The use of school resources like a computer lab or team space will probably take some time for approval, so plan early and be patient!
Step 4 for Building an eSports Team – Get Organized and Start Practicing Together
Being organized, having a practice schedule (and sticking to it), and even entering some tournaments is a great way to show commitment to the team. This will help the school or organization administration understand that it’s not just a passing fad and that the players are serious about it. When you show commitment, it makes the team look more unified and stronger.
Step 5 for Building an eSports Team – Identify Ways to Generate Some Funding
Unless each player is bringing their own gear to the table, there will likely need to be some funding for controllers, headsets, jerseys, and other equipment. Work with the coach or administrative representative to demonstrate that the team is serious and that funding from the school or organization could help the team improve and have a chance to win tournaments.
One common request is for the organization to fund the entry into tournaments, but any winnings from the tournament have to be used to reimburse the organization before being split among the players.
Step 6 for Building an eSports Team – Be Consistent and Committed
The best way to improve and have a chance at winning tournaments is to practice together, play together, and be consistent and committed. The more success the team shows, the more players are likely going to want to join the team or club and grow it.
I hope these tips have helped give you the confidence to start your own eSports team or club. Let us know your best tips or experiences with forming an eSports team in the comments!
