Three Palliser School Division students have been making waves in E-Sports. This team is a triple threat of triplets. Brothers Ethan, Jonathan and Nathaniel earned first place on behalf of Calgary Christian School at a North American Tournament this past December. They made the playoffs in their first tournament.
In recent years, e-sports have emerged as a global phenomenon, captivating millions of players and spectators alike. While many associate e-sports with professional leagues and massive online audiences, schools also seize the opportunity to provide extracurricular programming. At Palliser School Division, the education team sees the potential of e-sports as more than just a game—it's a platform that supports the Division goal that "All Palliser students will engage with the foundational elements supporting wellbeing to provide them with the tools and confidence to live a healthy life." For a generation raised in a digital age, e-sports offer an inclusive activity that speaks their language. More importantly, these programs provide opportunities for students who might not gravitate toward traditional extracurricular activities like athletics or music.
Many Palliser schools provide E-Sport opportunities, including Calgary Christian School, Coalhurst High School and Prairie Winds Secondary. The initial cost of creating a program is high when purchasing computers supporting gaming requirements. Associate Superintendent of Learning Services Tom Hamer and IT Supervisor Simon Sorensen are collaborating with schools to find creative solutions and anticipate seeing this trend spread across the Division.
Despite their growing popularity, e-sports in schools often face skepticism. Critics argue that e-sports promote excessive screen time, distract from education, lack physical activity, and fail to teach real-world skills. However, structured e-sports programs counter these concerns by promoting balance, integrating lessons on digital wellness, and encouraging students to manage their time effectively. E-sports also enhance cognitive skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and hand-eye coordination while fostering teamwork, leadership, and communication—all essential life skills.
The success of Coalhurst High School’s e-sports program highlights these benefits. Teacher Andrew Kerssens has witnessed the positive changes in students participating in e-sports. "I've had several parents contact me saying they struggled with their kids using inappropriate language when playing games at home, and since joining in, this has gone away and changed to constructive language centring around how to improve their own gameplay," shared Kerssens. These shifts in behaviour demonstrate how structured programs can instill valuable social and communication skills in students.
Moreover, e-sports programs can encourage physical well-being. At Coalhurst High School, students participate in a weekly morning workout before school, including warm-ups and weightlifting exercises. "At the start of the season, the kids were groaning about it," said Kerssens. "However, after a few weeks, I was being asked by kids if I could run it extra days because they felt better with it! Some told me they started going to the gym now since they knew how to use the equipment and what to do." Their commitment has led to incredible results; they finished 4th out of 130 teams in the Fortnite competition for the Mountain Region of North America. The Valorant team secured an impressive 20th place out of 74 teams, and the Junior High Rocket League team took the top spot, finishing 1st out of 24 teams.
Fostering mental well-being for students is a central pillar of Palliser’s mission. E-sports align with this by providing participants a sense of belonging and purpose. For students who struggle to find their niche, e-sports can be a conduit for connection and community. Team membership fosters social connections, boosts self-esteem, and helps combat feelings of loneliness—all crucial for mental well-being.
Furthermore, the inclusive nature of e-sports allows students of all abilities to participate. Unlike traditional sports, which may have physical barriers, e-sports offer a level playing field where students can shine based on skill and dedication. This inclusivity reinforces our commitment to ensuring every Palliser student has the tools and confidence to live a healthy and fulfilling life. By participating in e-sports, students become not just better gamers but more well-rounded individuals.
Calgary Christian School Students were recently featured on CityTV, watch the clip here.
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