In the realm of competitive gaming, the NHIAA Rocket League esports tournament held at SNHU captured the attention of both players and spectators. This event showcased the growing popularity and potential of esports within high school athletics.

Uniting High Schools in the Rocket League Esports Arena

Tournament Setup and Format

For the tournament, each school participated with teams of three, including one substitute and a coach. The nine teams first engaged in a round-robin format within pools of three teams to determine seeding. Subsequently, they progressed to a bracket format, playing best-of-three matches in the quarterfinals and best-of-five matches in subsequent rounds. This structured approach ensured a fair and intense competition.

Teams gathered at Southern New Hampshire University's esports arena on Saturday morning, ready to battle it out for the top varsity Rocket League title in the state. The arena, equipped with 18 monitors for live gaming, an announcer booth, and current technology, provided an immersive experience for all involved.

Tim Fowler, the esports director at SNHU, played a crucial role in organizing the tournament and has been working to grow the sport. SNHU offers multiple scholarships for different esports games, including Rocket League, and has 36 student-athletes registered. This shows the institution's commitment to esports and providing opportunities for students.

The Pembroke Spartans' Journey

Pembroke Academy was one of the participating teams, coached by Brandon Rich. The team consisted of starting juniors Samaya Timilsina, Belal Ben Yahya, Camden Ouellette, and Trystan Currier as the substitute.

Rich saw an opportunity to start a video game club, as video games often have a stigma. Last year, bringing home a trophy from the NHIAA and having it displayed in the school was a significant moment for the team. It gave these students, who are academically recognized but not as much in the recreational space, a chance to shine.

However, their journey was not without challenges. In the round-robin, they lost to the Bedford Bulldogs and faced them again in the quarterfinals. The best-of-three matches were intense, with the Spartans winning the first 2-0 but the Bulldogs coming back to win the second with an overtime golden goal, 5-4. In the third match, Pembroke was outclassed by Bedford's strong defense and fell 4-0.

Despite the loss, Timilsina expressed her feelings about playing competitively. She wished that video games were more popular in the school and believed that more advertisement would help in the future. Pembroke's relatively small esports program has faced some tech issues due to high school wifi security, but they still train together remotely and benefit from the structure of competition.

The Impact of Esports

Esports are rapidly growing worldwide, and schools are recognizing their importance. Rich and other coaches at the tournament explained how esports have helped students form stronger bonds with their peers and take pride in representing their schools.

For example, SNHU's esports arena provides not only a platform for competition but also work-study programs in content creation, broadcasting, and technology operations. This shows that esports offer more than just gaming opportunities; they can lead to future careers.

Londonderry emerged as the champions by sweeping Plymouth 3-0 in the best-of-five final. This victory highlights the growing competitiveness of esports and the potential for high schools to produce top-notch players.