Cedar Lodge School, one of the pioneers in the Belfast educational landscape, took that leap forward to launch what it believes will be a new chapter for young people across the region by launching Northern Ireland’s first dedicated esports classroom.
The newly established Nucleus classroom will be used as headquarters for the Cedar Squad Esports team, so students are going to have one of the best places to exercise their skills and explore this world. Students will, in practice, have an opportunity for BTEC qualification, a very rare occurrence in any UK education system.
Kyle Faulkner, a former student of Cedar Lodge and aspiring esports professional, has come back to his old school to give back to the new development of the esports program. Discovering competitive gaming at an early age, Kyle is now pursuing an esports degree at Belfast Met. He would like to be a content creator, sharing his experiences and insights with the global audience through platforms such as TikTok and livestreaming.
Esports, which is often called electronic sports, has become a global phenomenon from being an informal hobby. Major esports tournaments, such as the recently held Esports World Cup, attract millions of viewers and provide huge prize pools. The events demonstrate the level of skill and dedication required to succeed in competitive gaming.
Beyond the excitement of the competition, there are many educative benefits that esports gives. Students involved in esports help develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Most importantly, they learn what time management, discipline, and perseverance mean. Secondly, esports can help cultivate a sense of community and belonging, as players from many different backgrounds come together to express their passion.
Committing to esports means that Cedar Lodge School is doing something progressive about education. The incorporation of this relatively new field within the curriculum empowers a student to explore their passion, acquire important skills, and open up possibilities for rewarding jobs in the gaming industry. Going forward, as the industry grows in size, educational institutions have a crucial place in fostering future gaming talent.
