Teachers Frequently
Asked Questions

What is the Ireland Esports School Series?

Esports can develop valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, and resilience—qualities that are also nurtured through traditional sports. To be honest, young people are playing games so to give them a structured environment to compete in will help their development and maintain consistency for those that play sport competitively.

How does esports compare to traditional sports in terms of benefits and structure?

Like football or rugby, esports involves team practices, tournaments, and goal-setting. The main difference is the digital platform, which can be especially engaging for students who thrive in tech-based activities. Contrary to public opinion, to excel in esports it requires mental fitness but it also requires physical fitness.

Why should I integrate esports into my classroom or extracurricular schedule?

Esports engages students in STEM-based skills (e.g., problem-solving, data analysis) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership). It can boost student motivation, especially for those less interested in traditional sports or subjects.

What about safety and responsible gaming?

We encourage structured practice times, supervised competitions, and guidelines on sportsmanship and screen-time management.

How much time do we need to dedicate to the esports programme?

Typically, schools allocate a few hours per week for practice and matches, similar to any other extracurricular activity. That’s not taking into account the time students play outside of structured session!

Do we need special equipment to participate?

A basic setup with school-approved gaming PCs or consoles is ideal. For schools lacking equipment, we can explore partnerships or grants to support technology access.

How do we incorporate esports into our existing curriculum?

Esports aligns well with Transition Year goals, such as experiential learning and personal development. Teachers can integrate topics like game design, analytics, or media production into IT or cross-curricular projects.

What is the pathway for students after secondary school?

The Ireland Esports School Series feeds into the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series, allowing talented players and engaged students to pursue esports at the university level. This could eventually lead to professional opportunities, including those with Nativz Esports Club.

How do we ensure esports aligns with overall student well-being?

The programme emphasizes moderation, teamwork, and positive sportsmanship. We provide guidelines and soft-skill training (e.g., through the Skilly app) to support holistic student development.

How do we get started or sign up?

Complete the short survey provided, indicating your school’s interest and resource needs. We’ll follow up with teacher training opportunities and details about the pilot tournament timeline.