One common misconception is that video games are for boys. My daughters participated in a previous district tournament at 6 and 8 in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Squad Strike 3v3. My eight-year-old daughter took third place in the Elementary Tier. My students took first place in the Secondary Tier, led by a female team captain who is also the club president.

In that competition, we had students who were labeled 504 and SpEd. One of those students was playing with his feet. I will not explain why but look up a popular gamer known as brolly legs. Esports is the same as any other school sport, with the added benefit of being more inclusive, not just for those who play but also for those who do not.

Targeting the whole population rather than some is a crucial benefit for schools for student retention. Since it is a no-pass-no-play rule, the students retained are some of the best.

Recruitment needs to be done with purpose. Allow teachers to have game day and see which students, especially the quiet ones, do well in the game associated with the district. In order to have a variety of students, some may need to be recruited more than others. For example, if the population is 50-50 male females, and your esports team is more males than females, there must be a recruitment change. The goal of Esports recruitment in Education should be diversity and inclusivity.