AURORA – The first-annual CHSAA Esports Coaches Season Kick-Off Clinic was held at the Aurora Expo Recreation Center Esports Lounge Friday, with over 50 coaches in attendance from across the state. The day-long event featured sessions on how to start and recruit an esports team, advanced coaching strategies, and game specific strategies and techniques for Rocket League and League of Legends; the two fall championship games.
While the clinic was a great opportunity to bring coaches together, it also provided the Aurora Expo Park staff to showcase their esports facility. The multi-use facility houses an esports room, kitchen, dance room and a meeting space. The esports room is equipped for 22 players and can facilitate multiple consoles.
“This brings our vision full circle,” Expo Park Facility Program Supervisor, Paul Smith said. “Our hope was to create a place to connect the community and build-up esports. This is a great way to bring the community together, bring awareness to esports, and to share our vision of what gaming looks like. We look forward to providing a layer of support to local teams, helping them with a place to gather, practice, and again, build community. This is what Aurora Parks, Rec, and Open Space is all about.”
The day also included a session from CHSAA’s Esports platform host, PlayVS.
“We are proud to be a part of this inaugural coaches event with our partners at CHSAA,” said Chief Business Officer Aakash Ranavat at PlayVS. “This has been a great opportunity for many coaches from across the state to meet in person for the first time to connect, learn and grow together.”
While CHSAA is entering its fourth year offering esports, this will bet he second year that esports will be a sanctioned championship. Cherry Creek and Grandview claimed the two fall championships (League of Legends and Rocket League), while Rocky Mountain swept the spring championships (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart).
“My vision for all CHSAA activities is that we are able to provide training and networking opportunities, while showcasing different communities around the state,” said CHSAA Assistant Commissioner Rashaan Davis. “Esports is traditionally seen as a remote activity, but this clinic is a chance to bring coaches together. This is one of the small things we can do to connect coaches. I look forward to the continued growth of this activity.”
Currently there are more than 115 high schools involved in esports across the state of Colorado.