Esports for Everyone
Esports are for Everyone
High school esports has been growing thanks to school districts that recognize the benefits of using this vehicle to improve education for young women and men.
There have been many success stories NASEF has been proud to be a part of. We've also had challenges: Some media outlets focus on the negative aspect of gaming. Negativity, toxic behavior, and discrimination exist in many gaming communities. NASEF wants to put an end to this. We believe that esports are for EVERYONE.
We're excited by a challenge. Our desire is to lead the conversation. We are #GameChangers.
the*gameHERs: Building a Mindset of Diversity and Inclusion of Girls and Women in Esports
THE*GAMEHERS - WHERE WOMEN WHO GAME CONNECT
Women in Gaming: An Introduction
Coach Bethany Pyles wrote a compelling blog post where she discusses the reality that women face when gaming on a daily basis. Whether it's being sexually harassed, being marginalized, spoken down to or simply being told, "you don't belong here because you're a woman," these actions go against everything NASEF stands for.
This blog post is a must-read for all gamers. Young men need to read how the actions of others affect their fellow gamers. Young women need to read that they're not alone. Teachers, administrators, general managers, and others need to be made aware of how toxic behavior affects our fellow gamers.
We can all be a part of this solution by educating each other and keeping our clubs accountable!
You can read Bethany's blog post here: Women in Gaming: An Introduction.
Fuslie Speaks About Dealing with Toxic Behavior Online
Coaches Corner: Carrie Holakovsky
My name is Carrie, also known as “Zabi” and I’m a esports coach for Connected Camps and NASEF. My origin into esports started when I was younger. I grew up playing games on the Nintendo 64 and Playstation 2. I often played a variety of games and followed my interests year over year. I became a huge fan of the “Mortal Kombat” and the Tony Hawk series. [Read More]
Exciting News from Lancaster, PA!
GAME LIKE A GIRL: It's not often you find girls playing esports together. But that is exactly what's happening over at @emeraldfdn2120 in Lancaster!
— Allie Berube (@allieberube) December 18, 2019
Check out my next #LikeAGirl story on the growing world of girl gamers!@EphrataEsports @pm_esports @esports_emerald @NASEFedu pic.twitter.com/w12rloAFAc
What You Can Do
Join thousands of high school students in NASEF and take AnyKey's GLHF Pledge.
- Be a good sport whether I win or lose
- Remember that people online are still real people
- Know that my actions and words can have real impact
- Speak up against hate speech, harassment, abuse, and assault of any kind
- Show integrity by respecting the rules, opponents, and teammates
- Stop, listen, and reassess if I’m told that my words or actions are harmful
- Respect the sincere opinions of others, even if they're different from mine
NASEF is a proud affiliate of AnyKey. Get additional resources for your club at AnyKey.org.
We encourage General Managers and other club leaders to print the pledge graphic and post it in your club area. Players, print this out and post it near your own PC as a reminder!
Recap: Girls in Gaming Summer Camp
As the industry continues to grow larger than life, many organizations are taking a critical look at the esports ecosystem and their attention to diversity, especially gender. Today, more groups are offering events and programs catered toward women, equipping them with tools for navigating esports opportunities and careers. [Read More]
Resources for Clubs
- AnyKey: For diversity, inclusion, and fairness in competitive gaming.
- CyberSmile: An organization that works to stop cyberbullying.
- OnlineSOS: Online SOS is a safe place where people can find tools, information and, above all, empowerment, in the face of online harassment.
- Women of Esports: Women of Esports (WoE) empowers women in the esports industry through our global community and mentorship program.
- Reddit - /r/GirlGamers: This is a community space for ladies to hang out, talk about gaming, and game together. We also discuss topics around women in geek culture and debrief about experiences that occur as a result of their gender.
- ComboQueens: Online community for women who play fighting games.
NASEF's Core Values
NASEF’s Core Values are Learning, Opportunity, Community, Diversity, and Respect.
We use esports to keep LEARNING skills outside of the classroom that will help students in all aspects of life.
When we provide OPPORTUNITY for our students, we provide a safe and engaging space for all students to connect, play, learn, and grow.
Thinking about ourselves as a COMMUNITY helps us focus on building relationships of interconnected scholar players who demonstrate leadership, accountability, commitment, and fortitude.
When we embrace DIVERSITY, we develop strong character and self-identity so that all participants celebrate individuality and differences.
Through RESPECT, we honor the human potential for respect of self and others.