Becoming an APS esports coach

What do you need to coach esports?

• A desire to lead and mentor the most diverse group of students in your school
• You will have varsity athletes, academic champions, and students who have never participated in any school group
• The skills to manage and mentor this diverse group is essential
• A working knowledge of video games and technology
• You don’t need to be a gamer or even play the specific sports your students play
• You can coach and learn the games as you go
• A good understanding of gaming culture and video games will only help you to further your team’s standings
• The space and technology to practice and participate in tournaments
• All APS high schools have access to five gaming specific computers, all you need is a space to secure them with room for more
• You will need to have a computer lab or dedicated space for students with as many computers as you have participants
• Time
• Practice days and times are at your convenience, at least one in-school practice day is recommended
• There is one dedicated day per week for tournaments per sport that your team plays, this will result in three afternoons with a two to three-hour commitment
• The desire to participate in one of the fastest growing activities in the country
• Esports is only going to grow as more and more school districts are beginning to join the competition
• Many colleges and universities have their own programs and offer scholarships

Esports is a great opportunity for you to lead and be a part of an exciting and growing field. It is also an opportunity for your students to further enrich their high school experience, potentially leading to higher education opportunities using esports as a springboard.