STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
connect, compete, have fun.

  STUDENT & PARENT
     HANDBOOK

KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT
     Spring 2020
STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
Introduction                                                                   2

Participant/Player                                                             3

Registration                                                                   4

How It Works                                                                   4
   Why ESPORTS?                                                                4
   Leagues, Divisions, Seasons, and Tournaments                                5
   League Schedule                                                             5
   Reporting Scores                                                            5

Player Code of Conduct                                                         6

Discipline for Violating Code of Conduct                                       7

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
Introduction

Given the current status that our nation finds itself in regarding social distancing as the
result of COVID19, Kingswood Athletics would like to propose a Kingswood ESPORTS
club. Kingswood Athletics believes that ESPORTS is an inclusive activity that can serve
multiple social needs at a time of physical distance. These needs can include a sense of
belonging, verbal communication, and social interaction all in a fun competitive
environment.

ESPORTS encompass a thriving community,
practiced by people in various situations and from
different backgrounds ​(www.evolveyouthsports.com).
Despite our initial concerns of some interested
participants not having the needed equipment it’s
been reported that over 80% of both tweens and
teens have a gaming console​ (Center on Media and
Child Health website).

We will look to include age appropriate play by
having both Middle School and High School
divisions. Should this venture prove to be popular
with our student body we will explore Esport
offerings on campus when we return from our
COVID19 hiatus.

Our Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) will
help organize the launch and day to day operations
for the Kingswood ESPORTS Club. By engaging
and including members of SALT we aim to promote
community and leadership in an active school
sponsored club.

The countless life lessons that serve student
athletes via traditional sports can also be
experienced by an ESPORTS player. Sporting
gamesmanship will be at the heart of our
ESPORTS community.

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
Why ESPORTS?
ESPORTS have exploded in recent years. Over a dozen high school state athletic
associations have adopted ESPORTS as a Varsity interscholastic sport. Over 200
colleges have begun ESPORTS programs with some even offering scholarships. The
concept of having ESPORTS here in New Hampshire could become a reality as the
New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) has reviewed the
possibility of adding it to their offerings. Additional information and facts can be found in
Appendix A​ at the end of this guide.

Kingswood Athletics would like to offer students at KRMS and KRHS an organized and
competitive environment that will allow them to connect, compete and have fun.

 I.      Participant/Player
1.1 - Kingswood ESPORTS will offer this opportunity to all currently enrolled KRMS &
KRHS students for the 2019-2020 school year. All participants must have the following
equipment to participate:

      ❏ Current gaming console/equipment needed to play online:
            ❏ Playstation 4
            ❏ XBox One
            ❏ Nintendo Switch*
      ❏ Current games that will be used for online league play:
            ❏ Madden20
            ❏ NHL20
            ❏ NBA2K20
            ❏ FIFA20
            ❏ UFC3*
            ❏ Super Smash Bros.*
      ❏ Internet connection
            ❏ Speeds capable of online gaming
            ❏ Ability to connect and report scores on associated Google Classroom
      ❏ Completed FamilyID registration
            ❏ Acceptance of all Kingswood ESPORTS agreements/policies

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
❏ Gamertag
          ❏ Used to link up for online competition

                                              *will be added to offerings in the near future

II.      Registration
2.1 - Students must register online via the Kingswood Athletics online registration
system - FamilyID. FamilyID will allow us to collect registration, set up league play
schedules, and communicate with students/parents.

FamilyID will also help us hold participants accountable as a result of policies that must
be agreed to as part of this guide and the FamilyID registration system.

Kingswood ESPORTS will feature rolling registration for each upcoming season.
Registration start and end dates must be adhered to in order to participate.

Once a FamilyID registration is received by Kingswood Athletics the participants will be
added to a Google Classroom that will be directly associated with Kingswood
ESPORTS. The Google Classroom is only accessible by GWRSD Google account
holders and will serve as a hub for reporting scores, posting schedules, and league
standings by all participants.

FamilyID registration instructions can be found at the end of this handbook.

III.     How It Works

Leagues, Divisions, Seasons, and Tournaments
3.1 Kingswood ESPORTS participants will be split into a specific “league” determined
by the console they have at their residence.

Once a participant is placed in either the “Playstation League” or “Xbox League”, they
will then be placed in a “division”. Game Divisions are determined by games owned by
the participant(s) and are part of the League offerings. Currently Kingswood ESPORTS

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
will offer the following Divisions in both Leagues: FIFA20, MADDEN20, NBA2K20, and
NHL20. The opportunity to add additional leagues (new consoles) and divisions (new
games) will be reviewed monthly.

A “Season” will feature start and end dates along with a schedule for the participants to
follow. Qualification for any subsequent “Tournament” will be based on the participants
final “Season” statistics. Statistics and qualifications will vary between divisions
depending on the game.

League Schedule
3.2 A Kingswood ESPORTS League Schedule will follow a similar schedule to
extra-curricular activities/athletics that take place on campus. All ESPORTS Leagues
will take place Monday - Friday between the hours of 3pm and 5pm.

The number of League Games for each participant will vary dependent on total Division
size. Kingswood ESPORTS will aim to provide all participants with 2-4 games per week.
Additionally each game will be limited to a half and hour time frame.

Should Kingswood ESPORTS participants choose to play each other outside of the
League schedule, that is considered a non-league game and will not count towards
Division Standings.

Reporting Scores
3.3 At the conclusion of a Kingswood ESPORTS League game, the winner must post
the Game number (listed on the schedule), final score, and both player gamertags. Any
issue with the game should be reported within 24-hours to Mr. House.

IV.   Player Code of Conduct
4.1​ - Players include those who are registered, actively playing, and/or observing
gameplay as a viewer. All Kingswood players will adhere to the Player Code of Conduct
rules below. This will ensure that our events are a fun and welcoming ESPORTS
environment.

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
4.1.1. Offensive expression.​ Expressing yourself in an offensive manner toward
     other players or their actions in the game, regardless of whether they are
     opponents, teammates, or observing will not be tolerated.

     4.1.2. Offensive language.​ The use of offensive language, nicknames or other
     expressions that insult another player’s gender, gender identity, origin, physical
     ability, sexual orientation, religion or age will not be tolerated.

     4.1.3. Team & Opponent dynamic.​ Always support your team and respect your
     opponents, communicating positively and with respect. Without your team or
     opponents there can be no ESPORTS.

     4.1.4. Violent language.​ The use of language or actions that refer to sexual
     violence or other violence will not be tolerated.

     4.1.5. Violent actions.​ Acting in a threatening or violent manner will not be
     tolerated.

     4.1.6. Cheating. ​Cheating or hacking will not be tolerated.

     4.1.7. Private information.​ Do not share your account information or any other
     private information that could put yourself or your peers at risk.

     4.1.8. Harassment.​ You may not harass other players, team members, opponents
     or other associated parties.

     4.1.9. Discrimination and Denigration.​ You may not offend the dignity or integrity
     of a country, private person, or group of people through contemptuous,
     discriminatory, or denigratory words or actions on account of race, ethnicity,
     socioeconomic status, ability status, gender identity, language, religion, political
     opinion or any other opinion, sexual orientation, or any other reason.

V.     Discipline for Violating Code of Conduct
5.1​ - ​Players include those who are registered, actively playing, and/or observing
gameplay as a viewer. All Kingswood players will adhere to the Player Code of Conduct

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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK - connect, compete, have fun. KINGSWOOD CLUB SPORT Spring 2020
rules. Violation of the Player Code of Conduct will result in discipline that will be
administered by Mr. House.

Any player found to have violated or attempted to violate the Code of Conduct is subject
to consequences. The nature and extent of the consequences shall be made at the sole
discretion of Mr. House.

Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in any of the following:

   5.1.1. Warnings.​ Low severity or first-time offenses may be offered a written
   warning, along with supplemental opportunities for mediation.

   5.1.2. Immediate forfeit of game or match.​ In this case, Mr. House has the right to
   call for immediate forfeiture due to misconduct.

   5.1.3. Player suspension from the league. ​In this case, a player will be barred
   from attending future events in totality.

5.2. Administering & Protocol consequences.​ Mr. House will review reports of
misconduct at his own discretion. If a party is found guilty of misconduct, the protocol for
administering consequences is followed as such:

   5.2.1. Email.​ For written warnings, an email may be used to notify the guilty party. If
   the guilty party is under the age of 18, their parents will also receive a copy of the
   email.

   5.2.2. Phone call.​ For repeated offenses or suspensions, Players will be notified by
   phone. If the guilty party is under the age of 18, the parent, guardian, teacher or
   school administrator must be present for the conversation.

                                                               Kingswood Athletics - 2020   7
APPENDIX A - Info on Esports

                  Kingswood Athletics - 2020   8
Kingswood Athletics - 2020   9
What exactly is esports?
ESPORTS STANDS FOR ELECTRONIC SPORTS , not to be confused with video games,
because it’s much more than that. What sets it apart is the level of organized
competitive gameplay between teams and its own strict set of rules and guidelines.

        Esports is about teamwork, communication, strategic thinking and leadership — in all the same ways

               that traditional sports are and then some. It’s time to expand the definition of an athlete.

Today, esports is growing exponentially with 400 million fans        Benefits of Esports
worldwide who repeatedly pack out arenas. A recent survey

shows that 72% of American teens play video games regularly.
                                                                                Character Development
Currently, there are nearly 200 colleges and universities offering
                                                                                Students build character and develop
esports scholarships. Establishing esports in high school enables
                                                                                discipline, self-esteem, patience and
students to do what they love and provides them with additional
                                                                                sportsmanship through weekly practice
opportunities to earn scholastic recognition.
                                                                                and gameplay.

                                                                                Community Building
                                                                                Students will develop a sense of

                                                                                belonging, meet new friends and have

                                                                                school pride by playing on a team

                                                                                with classmates.

                                                                                Teamwork & Leadership
                                                                                Students will learn how to communicate

                                                                                better and become leaders as they

                                                                                compete and work together as team.

                                                                                Strategic Thinking
                                                                                Students will compete in intense and

                                                                                fast-paced real time strategy games

                                                                                where they will need to quickly problem

                                                                                solve and adapt to win.

                                                                                                                    pl a yv s. c o m
The Parents’ Guide to High School Esports

Esports is growing, fast.
Esports has become an officially sanctioned high school sport, and players across the country
are changing what it means to be a student-athlete. To help parents in this new journey,
PlayVS and the NFHS have put together this helpful guide.

I.     About Esports
II.    Benefits of Esports
III.   Esports in Education
IV.    Esports Safety

www.playvs.com                                                                 hello@playvs.com
About Esports
What is esports?
Esports officially stands for electronic sports, not to be
confused with video games. Esports takes video gaming to
another level with organized competitive gameplay
between two teams, governed by its own strict set of rules
and guidelines. The difference is comparable to a pick-up
basketball game at a park versus a varsity high school
basketball game. Esports requires teamwork,
communication, critical and strategic thinking, creativity,
sportsmanship, and leadership — much like traditional
sports.

What does the high school experience look like?
Like any other high school sport or extracurricular activity, your student will attend team meetings, practices,
and official matches. However, since esports is played online, there is ​no travel required​ throughout the regular
season. Players compete from their respective campus, supervised by a coach. Currently through PlayVS,
students can compete in teams of five for League of Legends and SMITE, and teams of three for Rocket
League, three of the most popular titles in esports. Each school year is divided into two regular seasons, Fall
and Spring, each with their own playoff season.

                            Regular Season                          Playoff Season
                      ●   Weekly matches and practices          ●   Top teams compete
                      ●   On campus, no travel                  ●   Single elimination
                      ●   State rankings                        ●   Online finals

What equipment does my student need to participate?
Many school computer labs or libraries already have the equipment needed to participate on campus. All your
student needs to compete is a PC, keyboard, and mouse. Additional equipment includes a headset with mic,
jerseys, and game controllers.

With their PlayVS season pass, students will receive in-game perks and free copies of games for an even
playing field.

www.playvs.com                                                                                hello@playvs.com
Esports Benefits
Esports requires a tremendous amount of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity from
players to achieve and sustain success. It reaches beyond traditional sports to create an all-inclusive
environment that breaks barriers.

Sense of Community                                         Character Development
AP​ ew Research Report​ states that video games            There will inevitably be challenges and early
play a vital role in teen friendships. The                 failures, but players who demonstrate grit and
inclusiveness and accessibility of esports allow           adapt/learn will typically succeed in esports.
students to come together over a common                    Fortunately, these attributes are exactly what
passion while providing​ access to a positive              employers and colleges are telling high schools
adult mentor in their lives.                               they are looking for in recent graduates​.

                                                           Increase Participation
                                                           There is a strong correlation between student
                                                           engagement and student achievement. ​NCES
                                                           reported​ that students who participated in
                                                           extracurricular activities perform higher on
                                                           math and reading assessments.

                                                           STEM Engagement
                                                           The amount of technology involved with esports
                                                           enables students to practice and develop STEM
                                                           skills. Students spend hours analyzing data,
84%​ of Season Zero players                                game statistics, and strategies, which provide
reported they finally found a                              real-world experience and application.

community they could connect
                                                            “The kids that are participating here
with.                                                       have dramatically​ pulled up their
                                                            grades​ to be eligible. It gives this small
                                                            group​ a reason to come to school​.”
                                                                                       Coach Catherine Turner
                                                                                     Lafayette High School, GA

www.playvs.com                                                                              hello@playvs.com
Esports in Education
We firmly believe that esports has a place in education. It provides many opportunities for growth and learning,
such as the creation and practice of “soft skills,” including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and
creativity. Many of the same skills that employers are looking for in recent graduates.

Scholarship Opportunities                                   Esports Embody ISTE Standards
Esports can provide a gateway to colleges and                   ●   Empowered Learner
universities. The National Association of Collegiate            ●   Digital Citizen
Esports (NACE), the main governing body for varsity             ●   Knowledge Constructor
collegiate esports, has awarded millions of dollars             ●   Innovative Designer
in esports scholarships and aid over the last five              ●   Computational Thinker
years. Currently, more than 200 colleges and                    ●   Creative Communicator
universities offer nearly 15 million dollars in                 ●   Global Collaborator
scholarships.

Esports majors and careers are becoming
increasingly more accessible. There are growing             More than ​200 colleges​ and
opportunities to find employment in esports-related         universities offer nearly ​15 million
careers. These opportunities include broadcasting,
marketing, graphic design, multimedia production,           dollars in scholarships.
hospitality, coaching, and management.

www.playvs.com                                                                               hello@playvs.com
Esports Safety
What are these games rated?
All games offered to high school students for competition purposes ​are either rated
"T for Teen" -- games that are appropriate for students 13 years or older -- or "E for
Everyone" -- games for all ages​. Players must be 13 years or older to participate in
the PlayVS high school leagues.

Should I be worried that my student is playing too much?
The amount of screen time should always be discussed and monitored. Just as in traditional sports,
student-athletes must find a balance between practice, games, school work, rest, proper nutrition, social time,
and, of course, sleep. One of the benefits of joining a formal esports team is that rules and practice schedules
can be set and monitored regarding how much students can play during the week and on weekends. Setting
clear guidelines for device and computer-free times and zones in your home will help your student find a
proper balance between all of their interests.

Additionally, with an esports coach, parents are able to discuss concerns and develop plans with them to help
students stay on top of academics and extracurricular activities.

 About PlayVS
 PlayVS is building the infrastructure and platform for amateur esports, starting with high schools. We work
 directly with game publishers and states to build and operate sanctioned leagues across the country.
 Through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), PlayVS is empowering students to
 compete in esports on behalf of their high school​,​ with the opportunity to win a championship, just like any
 other youth sport. Contact your local school’s principal or athletic director to get a program started and learn
 more at www.playvs.com.

www.playvs.com                                                                               hello@playvs.com
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