Esports League Launches with New Opportunities for Students to Compete and Connect
Trent Athletics focuses on innovative ways to support students
Sourcing new and innovative ways to support Trent students and provide sport, fitness and recreation opportunities both in-person and by remote delivery has been the focus for Trent Athletics this fall.
As Trent’s campus recreation coordinator, Matt Melo is tasked with ensuring students in both Peterborough and Durham have safe access to recreation opportunities in person (such as beach volleyball and badminton) as well as through remote delivery (online wellness programs, online fitness classes, online trivia nights) in the midst of unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic.
One new virtual opportunity is Esports, through which Trent students connect to the Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE) League, competing both recreationally and competitively against teams from other Ontario universities in the games League of Legends, a strategy-based game, and Rocket League, a fast-paced take on soccer that sees cars substituted for players.
“The program promotes both competitive and recreational Esports and gaming opportunities in the Trent community,” explains Mr. Melo. “This is the most accessible landscape we have worked with. We are able to provide a new recreational opportunity directly to our students without the need for them to leave their homes. During this time of evolving public health restrictions, recreation of this type is a safe and secure way for students to still interact with one another.”
Tryouts and team selection took place earlier this fall and competitive play is underway with games broadcast on the OPSE website. According to the OPSE, up to $24,000 in scholarship money is available to be won based on playoff success.
As president of Trent’s Gaming and Tabletop Organization, Alex Baron is thrilled the program has been adopted, emphasizing there are also opportunities for non-competitive gamers to “come together, make friends and find some new gaming buddies.”
Learn more about campus recreation opportunities at Trent. Students interested in becoming part of the growing Esports community with Trent Athletics can contact campusrec@trentu.ca.