The collaboration was sparked when PlayVS sought out organizations committed to youth development, making PECU a natural fit.
“We were looking for an entity that could help us support the cost of participation for schools in Austin ISD and in Travis County,” said Veronica Sander, PlayVS’ head of strategic partnerships. “PECU stepped up to that, so now we have an opportunity to make that experience available to those students.”
A spike in participation
The impact of the partnership has been immediate. Participation in Central Texas esports has surged in the past year, with the number of participating schools growing by 265%. This increase reflects the expanding recognition that esports is more than just a game.
“By participating in their esports club or team, players have an opportunity to increase their leadership skills, communication skills and their mental well-being,” Sander said. “We find that kids are able to connect with peers and create a community. They have a real sense of belonging inside their scholastic ecosystem.”
Supporting schools
PlayVS also provides schools with guidance to build successful programs.
“If [a school] has no idea what esports is, and a kid comes to them and asks for help [to start a team], or if [a teacher] is a gamer themself, and they want to create this opportunity for students, we can help them,” Sander said.
Commitment to financial education
PECU is supporting students beyond the field as well, offering free access to Zogo, a top rated financial education app, as part of its involvement.
“Zogo has frequently been the No. 1 rated financial education app. PECU makes it free to everyone in the community, whether they're PECU members or not,” PECU Vice President of Marketing Scott Murphy said. “People can learn about financial education through gamified bite-sized online modules. They earn points for each module, plus they can later cash in their points for online gift cards from their favorite brands such as Amazon, GameStop, Apple, Starbucks, Walmart and Target. What’s more, PECU offers a free account at the credit union for all area esports coaches and players.”
Understanding esports
As esports grows in popularity, both PECU and PlayVS stress the importance of community understanding and education. They encourage parents and educators to see the value beyond the screen.
“Take an opportunity to learn about the games, the ecosystem and the coaches,” Sander said. “If you can equate the participation in esports to a more traditional sport, [you’ll] understand that the values of teamwork, communication and leadership are garnered across it.”
Together, PECU and PlayVS are helping students discover new opportunities for growth and success in the digital age.
To inquire about your school’s participation, contact [email protected].
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
