Hundreds of high school students are going to St.Clair College this May to participate in the Provincial Rocket League High School Championship.
Last year's event was the first for high school students interested in competitive gaming and attracted more than 400 students from 72 different schools across Ontario.
"It's increasingly clear that the establishment of esports teams in high schools in Ontario is no longer a matter of if, but rather when," said St. Clair College Esports Director Shaun Byrne. "OFSEA [Ontario Federation of School Esports Associations] is at the forefront of this movement."
OFSEA has rapidly grown since its establishment last year. It now has representatives from 48 per cent of all school boards in the province, providing support to schools starting esports teams and has leagues in Rocket League, League of Legends, Minecraft, VALORANT, and Smash Bros.
This year's event will be at the St. Clair Esports Nexus, which only opened last fall. It's designed for events like the Provincial Rocket League High School Championship.
"It was a crucial part of the overall vision, providing students with the resources necessary to hone their skills and become professionals in the esports industry," said Byrne. "Through the championships, they will not only gain valuable hands-on experience but also showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired."
A live audience will watch the championship on the Hyper X competition stage, but it will also be live-streamed on the Saints Twitch channel.
Registration for the Spring season opens on Tuesday and closes on March 15. The season runs from March 22 to April 26 and ends with the in-person finals at St. Clair College on May 13.
