Esports

WELCOME TO PCPS ESPORTS

The popularity of competitive video gaming — or esports (electronic sports) — is undeniable. Professional gamers are facing off against each other in tournaments with spectators packing arenas and millions more watching online. Polk County students can participate and experience this competition for themselves. PCPS Esports is currently available at six schools: Frostproof Middle-Senior, Kathleen High School, Lake Gibson High School, Lake Region High School, Ridge Community High School, and Roosevelt Academy.

This program is officially part of the district’s Athletics department, and holds the same status as all athletic events. PCPS Esports student-athletes must follow the same high expectations (in academics, attendance, conduct) to participate. This also includes a three-day mandatory tryout period.

Inaugural teams have already been formed at the six designated schools. However, open tryouts are being planned for the future. If your child is interested and attends one of these six schools, please contact the athletic director at your child’s school.

CONTACT YOUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

FAST FACTS

• Esports as a competitive event has swept the world and is one of the fastest growing industries around the globe.
• Esports is inclusive in bringing together players of all backgrounds and physical abilities.
• Esports encourages many lifelong and in-demand skills: problem solving, cooperation, collaboration, communication, and learning to win and lose gracefully.
• Esports brings together the wider school community: video streaming and match shoutcasters (commentators), esports reporting and journalism, statistical analysis, marketing, fan merchandise production, and more.
• Esports has been introduced in both undergraduate and graduate programs and offers new scholarship opportunities. In Polk County, Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, and Keiser University all offer esports programs.
• PCPS Esports was developed through a collaboration between the district’s Athletics, Instructional Technology, Instructional TV (ITV), Career & Technical Education (CTE), and IT departments.

ABOUT THE GAME

Rocket League

PCPS Esports includes competitions featuring the videogame “Rocket League.”

This game is described as “soccer with rocket-powered cars.” Each match is five minutes, with two teams of three players each. A sudden death overtime occurs if the match ends in a tie.

Rocket League has an ESRB rating of E (for Everyone)

rocketleague.com

MORE ESPORTS INFORMATION