Let's Play, Together
Make new friends, build confidence and ignite your potential in Canada's first YMCA esports program.
Experience the thrill of esports and dive into competitive gaming at our safe and inclusive space for youth in Calgary. Join old friends and build new bonds with fellow gamers as have fun and develop new skills through the power of video games.
While you hone your driving and soccer skills in Rocket League and test your mettle in Fall Guys, we’ll help you develop healthy habits online and offline through our holistic wellness programs.
Esports Video
Now offering tournaments, leagues, camps and more!
Leagues
Youth will level up their gaming through weekly skill sessions and tournaments. Programing will help you hone your gaming skills and strategies while learning about physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and digital literacy.
Virtual Tournaments
Through virtual tournaments, youth enjoy the thrill of competing against peers from the comfort of their own homes. Online players will be added to our Community Discord Server where they can stay connected with one another after the tournament is over. Games will vary and participants must provide their own equipment for play. Supported systems can include Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, or PC. Must have a Discord account.
In Person Tournaments
In-person tournaments offer players the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of competing against their peers in an exciting live tournament environment. Participants will have the chance to meet and make connections with fellow gamers. Games will vary and will be played on the Nintendo Switch console. Participants are encouraged to bring their own controllers.
Day Camps
Campers will learn and play a variety of popular video game titles with a focus on game knowledge and strategy. Campers will also experience traditional day camp activities as well as focus on developing physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and digital literacy.
Private Lessons
Private lessons will help youth unlock their gaming potential through personally tailored instruction to improve game skills and strategies as well as knowledge on physical, mental, and digital wellbeing. Instruction and game play will be on the Nintendo Switch console. Participants are encouraged to bring their own controllers. Spring 2024 Games Offered: Mario Kart, Rocket League, Smash Bros, Fall Guys.
YMCA Community Discord Server
All participants of our esports programs will get access to our YMCA Community Discord Server. In this private and moderated online space, youth can meet other members of the YMCA gaming community and participate in free game nights and challenges hosted on a weekly basis.
Esports Pilot FAQs
Esports help youth thrive through community and healthy competition. Our progressive pilot program gives all youth in Calgary a safe place to play together, learn about technology and develop the skills required for success in STEM.
At the Y, we treat our players like any other athlete and nourish their physical and mental health and wellness. Our esports pilot also nurtures:
· Hand-eye coordination
· Problem-solving
· Strategy skills
· Self-confidence
Phase 1 will contain a mix of individual and team-based tournaments. Future phases will introduce more games to the mix.
- Rocket League: a team soccer game where players control cars and work together in a friendly competition against another team. Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
- Fall Guys: players control a jellybean and compete in a series of fun mini-games like obstacle courses and soccer. Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
- Chess: Play chess online in our chess tournaments. Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
Phase 2 introduces two new games, that will be played in-person tournaments.
- Super Smash Bros™: Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you can play anytime, anywhere! Rated E10+ by the ESRB.
Super Smash Bro Trailer
- Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe: Players control characters from the Mario universe to race in go-karts around a course. Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Trailer
In Phase 1, players can sign up with friends as a team to participate in Rocket League/Fall guys team events, or individuals in Chess, Rocket League, and Fall Guys individual events.
In Phase 2, team events are registered as individuals through our website and as a team through our tournament hosting software. Once you register through our website you will be sent information on how to setup the tournament software.
No – everyone is welcome to play!
During the pilot program, we have a limit of 75 participants, though we may increase the number depending on demand. If you want to play, please sign up early.
During Phase 2, player capacities vary between each event. Please check the max spots available for each event.
Members: $14
Non-members: $17
Volunteer with us!
Do you want to gain relevant experience while coordinating in person and online tournaments with Esports?
Want to learn more about esports at the YMCA?
We're happy to answer any questions you have about our new esports pilot program. Please, contact us at esports@ymcacalgary.org
You can also stay in the know with esports and other activities at the YMCA by joining our email list.
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