North America Scholastic Esports Federation offers free tournaments in popular titles with grants and prizes for winning high schools

(Atlanta, GA – February 10, 2021) – As esports grows exponentially and students clamor to compete in their favorite video games, the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) is offering championship events in Rocket League and and EA SPORTS Madden NFL 21, part of a huge variety of competition options to drive student participation and learning. NASEF’s scholastic platform enables students to learn about STEM career possibilities as they join fellow students in clubs that mirror the esports ecosystem. With options from tournament players to team managers, marketers to IT support, students can join, play, and learn for free. 

The winter-spring 2021 season will offer something for every student: 

• Rocket League: One of the most critically-acclaimed sports games of the last five years, this high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem gives kids a chance to customize their cars and hit the field for fun and intense competition. In the NASEF High School National Championship featuring Rocket League, teams will enter regional brackets and vie for the right to compete for the national title. Winners will receive trophies and medals, plus grants for their schools ranging from $500 for fourth place to $2,500 for the champion. 
• Madden NFL 21: Madden NFL is an immersive, simulation-based, authentic NFL experience, entertaining fans for over three decades. The NASEF High School National Championship featuring Madden NFL 21 gives school teams a chance to compete in regional events and the national finals to achieve virtual gridiron greatness. Separate brackets will be offered on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and a set of prizes will be offered in each category. Winning teams will receive trophies and medals, and grants for their schools will range from $250 for fourth place to $1,000 for the champion.  
• Weekly Scrims: The very popular NASEF Scrimfinder is relaunching as Scrimfinder+.  It is the same tool that schools and students have been using to find scrimmages for months, but now it will include more games and suggested nights. Scrimfinder+ will be  available in February. The titles being offered include:

•  Minecraft challenges offered throughout the spring will give students in grades 3-12 an opportunity to blend their creativity with STEM skills to compete in a variety of challenges. They will compete against teams around the world to win international titles, recognition, and prizes. 
• FREE professional coaching on game and team skills is provided by Connected Camps. 

The championship events in Rocket League and Madden NFL 21 will begin the week of March 1st, with finals streamed April 23-25. Learn about all options on the Winter-Spring competition page.

In this year of ups and downs, esports clubs are invaluable connectors as they provide time for kids to bond with friends and compete online or in-person, depending on local guidelines. Beyond the Game™ challenges, which give students a chance to demonstrate their STEM and career skills, will be announced later this year. 

“Students have been asking to play more sports-related games, and in 2021, NASEF is delivering. We always emphasize the importance of diversity, so we’ve made sure that we’re offering a range of titles and tournaments that will provide something for every style and personality,” said Gerald Solomon, executive director of NASEF. 

Youth across North America are invited to join NASEF through a local club, which can be formed by middle and high schools and community-based organizations. Completely free, member clubs receive access to all learning tools, support from NASEF experts on implementation of a local scholastic esports program, and the ability to participate in any desired tournaments and challenges.

NASEF’s programs leverage massive student interest in video gaming for education on career and life skills. Research from the University of California, Irvine, demonstrates that students in NASEF programs are improving STEM skills and building career aspirations while making significant strides in social-emotional development. Students learn about all areas of the esports ecosystem while participating in their favorite activity in a club, class, or competitive team.

About the North America Scholastic Esports Federation

The North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) is on a mission to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to acquire STEM/STEAM-based skills and critical communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in work and in life. NASEF and its partner HSEL are collaborating to create the leading global esports marketplace and community for play and learning. Find NASEF at our website and on Twitch, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Claire LaBeaux
[email protected]
925-337-0244