Can we get past the screen and connect in a meaningful manner?

In the landscape of modern entertainment, esports and gaming have emerged not purely as pastimes, but as cultural phenomena shaping the way we interact, compete and even learn. What was once considered a niche interest has evolved into a global industry, replete with an array of benefits that extend beyond the confines of a screen. 

With the concept of European Grassroots Esports, we want to promote positive sports values, and offer young people a place to meet, socialise and share their passion. Esports can contribute to that – and is a growing activity for especially younger generations worldwide.

This is our time to shape the esports landscape, with fruitful communities, and places where people can meet up and enjoy the social aspects of esports together. 

To do so, we believe the following values are essential for grassroots esports: 

• Health: grassroots esports practices include promoting physical health by combining esports practice with physical activity, sports and play, and by encouraging healthy eating and avoidance of energy and sugary drinks, nicotine, and drugs.
• Inclusion: grassroots esports practices get players involved in pro-social activities, also physically, as well as invite and include players from both genders, different backgrounds, and with different skill levels in the activity. 
• Respect: grassroots esports practices promote tolerance, the use of respectful language, fair play, and respect for the opponent. 
• Responsibility: grassroots esports practices are delivered with a clear plan for safety, event management, and protection of minors. Volunteering and local engagement are encouraged.

Bringing a European and grassroots perspective to embrace this opportunity

The late sociologist Henning Eichberg communicated his notion of a “third way of sports” as an experience of sport that does not rely on a competitive drive towards an elite ‘peak of a pyramid’, but as a social activity that is an intrinsic part of popular culture and civic movement. 

We call for a third way for young people who enjoy esports! A third way based on social cohesion and values.

To succeed with fruitful interaction between the grassroots sport and esports communities, we need to meet the young gamers where they are – with the games that capture their interests. The popularity of gaming and esports among young people is an opportunity to be curious, explore and elaborate on our involvement in community sport – and it is an opportunity not to be missed. It is a call to create social places. In a world where gaming is a big part of our lives, it’s easy to overlook the importance of social skills. Esports, however, has become a platform for learning valuable life and tech skills, sportsmanship, and the art of receiving constructive feedback, something which is all the more needed as nowadays young people have many difficulties today with social skills. 

Imagine physical locations buzzing with trainers, coaches, and a supportive community. It’s the perfect setup to bridge the gap and help tackle social challenges head-on.

And this can only be achieved by embracing the diversity of stakeholders and approaches.

Few key takeaways on why sports clubs are getting more interested in esports

🎮 Esports can bring new members from a target group that they have not yet reached

🎮 Esports can engage new trainers and volunteers, and more parents too!

🎮 Esports can have positive spill-over effect to traditional sport activities

🎮 Esports can bring more partners and more resources to grassroots sport clubs

🎮 Esports can bring a positive, socially oriented and proactive image to grassroots sports clubs

🎮 Esports can engage new people in organised communities

🎮 Esports can bring a positive, socially oriented and proactive image to established sports clubs, schools and more.

Homework before moving to next step

You are now hopefully convinced to give a chance to a grassroots esports initiative. The following few tasks can be your entry point.

• TASK 1: Map your local area. Are there esports- or gaming activities organised, that you know of? What do you think of them?

• TASK 2: Do you have experience with people in your area working on esports- and gaming communities? What are the keywords describing those communities? To what extent are they value-driven?

Ressources to go further and Topic material

Name of the material	Why it matters / What you will find
The metaframe Framework 🔗	WHY – To help you in share about the skills developed through participating into esports WHAT – A framework of these skills (work in progress) has been developed by Tobias Scholz working at University of Agder in Norway. The metaframe framework is a pivotal tool, meticulously intertwining gaming personality and work personality, while accentuating the nuances of personal mastery and team synergy.