Public Employees Credit Union and esports platform PlayVS are partnering to bring competitive gaming opportunities to schools across Central Texas at no cost. The initiative is designed to use esports as a platform for developing skills, building leadership, and creating future academic and career pathways.

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.

What was Fullerton School District’s FSD Fest? It was something you had to experience to truly believe. This award-winning, free, and family-friendly fun took place in the heart of Cal State Fullerton at the Titan Student Union (800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831) on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17. Attendees got an up-close look at the creative, hands-on learning experiences that happened across all 20 FSD school campuses.

FSD Fest wasn’t your average school event—it was a multifaceted, immersive experience where students took ownership of their learning, proudly shared their passions with the world, and put on wide display the fun found in learning. From student filmmakers, robotics engineers, Esports competitors, dynamic TED-Talk-style speakers, young literacy champions, artists, and more, spanning an age range from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, every corner of FSD Fest brimmed with innovation and inspiration. It was recently recognized with a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association, and this two-day educational festival offered a vivid showcase of student voice and engagement.

“FSD Fest was where we celebrated students’ passion for learning both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Jeremy Davis, FSD Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Instructional Support.

“You saw 6-year-olds screening documentaries, 10-year-olds giving talks on investing, and 400 12-year-olds rocking Esports, with each student discovering the power of their voice.”

Featuring more than 10 distinct events across two days, ranging from live performances to interactive art, STEM exhibits to TED-style student talks, and a multi-category film festival, FSD Fest blended the energy of a school carnival with the polish of a professional conference. Every school in the district participated in booth exhibits in the Innovation Experience. This showcase of school-site achievements included entrepreneurial learning in transitional kindergarten using puppetry, robust cultural learning experiences, and much more.

FSD Fest continued to turn up the excitement that year with new features designed to engage the entire family. Among the additions:
A brand-new escape room experience, themed around the district-wide “World of Wisdom” literacy challenge and starring characters from its beloved universe, and the chance to win Barnes & Noble gift cards.
Dedicated parent learning sessions, designed to support family engagement.

A feature added the previous year to the experience was the presence of high school students and programs from the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, who returned that year to showcase what FSD students had to look forward to after they were promoted from the eighth grade. A new group of talented young artists was also showcased in the “Wonder of Water” art exhibit, which highlighted themes of natural resource conservation and environmental sustainability.

For many students, FSD Fest also provided their first glimpse at college life. As they entered the halls of CSUF, students were welcomed into an environment filled with colorful lights, hands-on exploration, and cheers from event staff, underscoring the excitement of lifelong learning.

“We wanted every child to feel seen and valued, and every parent to walk away inspired for their child’s future,” added Davis.

“FSD Fest was about creating that magic moment when a student realized, ‘I belong here. My ideas matter.’”

For more information about FSD Fest and this year’s schedule of events, please visit bit.ly/FSDFEST.

The Fullerton School District (FSD) is located in northern Orange County, California, and serves over 11,400 students in transitional kindergarten (TK) through eighth grade. FSD was home to 15 elementary schools, two TK through eighth-grade schools, three junior high schools, and a distance learning and home school program. FSD featured unique programs for students, including a Dual Language Academy for Spanish and Korean languages; a Performance Academy Sports Program that offered a traditional in-person learning experience with time for advanced athletic training integrated into the school day; and robust before, after, and summer school programs. FSD also offered a middle college program, where students could earn college credits and sit for advanced placement (AP) exams administered by the College Board. Additionally, fine arts and performing arts opportunities were available on all 20 campuses. The mission of the Fullerton School District was to work collaboratively with the community to provide an innovative, high-quality educational experience for all students in a safe learning environment. FSD’s motto, “Great Schools – Successful Kids,” signified that all FSD students were valued and encouraged to achieve their fullest potential.

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Posted in: eSports, Games, Video Games | Tagged: DreamHack, ESL FACEIT Group, Red Bull

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Red Bull has signed on to be the official energy drink sponsor for all DreamHack events for the next few years, starting with Dallas

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Further cementing themselves into esports culture, Red Bull and ESL FACEIT Group have come together to make them the official energy drink partner for DreamHack. And not just the upcoming one in Dallas, they’re going to be working with them moving forward for a few years as a sponsor across every DreamHack event. The company has already been a major part of several tournaments that they run across multiple games, as well as sponsoring other events as one of many partners, so seeing them joining up with DreamHack makes a lot of sense (and we’re kind of surprised it didn’t happen sooner). We have more details about the partnership below as DreamHack Dallas takes place from May 23-25 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Cente.

DreamHack x Red Bull

Red Bull, a longstanding supporter of sports, esports, and gaming, will bring its signature high-energy atmosphere to all DreamHack Festivals. Attendees can look forward to immersive Red Bull booth activations featuring free samples of their popular flavors. A highlight of DreamHack Dallas will be the Red Bull Home Ground US Qualifier, showcasing two elite VALORANT teams competing for the championship title. Qualifiers will be held online, starting on May 16, with the top two teams being flown to DreamHack Dallas to play the grand finals live on stage, on Sunday May 25. Registration for the online qualifier is still open now, and you can sign up at Battlefy.com/RBHGUS.

“We are thrilled to welcome Red Bull as the Official Energy Drink Partner of DreamHack Festivals,” said Jasmin Haasbech, VP Global Brand Partnerships at ESL FACEIT Group. “Red Bull’s unparalleled ability to create engaging environments will undoubtedly amplify the festival experience. The Red Bull Home Ground tournament is a major attraction for our community, and witnessing the Valorant finals live on the Main Stage will be an unforgettable spectacle.”

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Bengaluru,16 May 2025: OnePlus, the global technology brand known for delivering fast and smooth smartphone experiences, is officially entering the world of Indian esports. The brand today announced its partnership with three top-tier esports teams—Gods Reign, K9, and Cincinnati Kids—reinforcing its commitment to building a gaming-first ecosystem.

The partnership extends to deep product integration, with players providing real-time feedback shaping current and future OnePlus devices. The collaboration aims to bring authentic, on-ground insights into its product development process, ensuring that each device is tested and refined in the most demanding mobile gaming environments.

Through this collaboration, OnePlus reaffirms its commitment to delivering industry-leading performance, particularly in gaming scenarios where frame rates, thermal efficiency, and sustained power matter most. The partnership is not just about creating a presence in esports, it’s about actively contributing to its future by aligning product strategy with the expectations of gamers and the community that supports them.

 As part of the partnership, K9 and Cincinnati Kids will now compete as OnePlus Gods Reign, OnePlus K9 and OnePlus Cincinnati Kids — a move that reflects deeper integration and shared focus on delivering smooth, high-performance gaming experiences to a wider community.

“At OnePlus, our community has always been at the core of everything we do. Over the years, we’ve listened closely to our gaming community and understood their need for speed, performance, and reliability. This collaboration reinforces our dedication to the gaming community and marks an exciting step in empowering the next generation of mobile esports athletes,” said Marcel Campos, Director of Product Strategy at OnePlus.

Gaming with Power — The OnePlus 13 Series

The OnePlus 13 Series is engineered to elevate the mobile gaming experience to new heights. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus 13R, both devices deliver exceptional performance and high-speed graphics rendering, ensuring a consistently smooth and responsive gameplay experience.

To support extended gaming sessions, the series features a Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Cooling System, effectively managing heat and preventing thermal throttling. Whether users are engaged in fast-paced multiplayer battles or exploring graphically demanding open-world environments, the OnePlus 13 Series maintains optimal performance frame after frame.

Backed by a powerful 6,000mAh battery and 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging, the OnePlus 13 Series enables longer playtimes with minimal downtime. With its combination of raw power, efficient thermal management, and sustained frame stability, the OnePlus 13 Series is purpose-built for gamers who demand peak performance.

Meet the Team:

OnePlus Gods Reign

A Bangalore-based esports powerhouse, Gods Reign is home to some of India’s most celebrated BGMI athletes. Known for their precision, strategy, and unmatched synergy, they’ve claimed titles at BGIS and BGMS and were runners-up at BMPS — with their 2023 win at BGIS still legendary. In 2025 they won the ESL Snapdragon Pro Series with new roster additions and a sharper mindset.

OnePlus K9

Born out of grassroots talent and driven by discipline, K9 is one of India’s fastest-rising BGMI teams. From dominating community tournaments to securing podium finishes at ESL BGMI Snapdragon Pro Series, Red Bull MEO, and BGIS, K9 is proof that strategy and teamwork win championships. Now competing as OnePlus K9, the team is ready to chase global glory.

OnePlus Cincinnati Kids

From overlooked to unstoppable — the Cincinnati Kids are the ultimate underdog story. With no sponsors and minimal spotlight, they kept grinding in unofficial tournaments. It all changed at BGIS 2025, where they shocked fans and rivals alike by finishing 7th in the Grand Finals. Now rebranded as OnePlus Cincinnati Kids, their story is a tribute to grit, passion, and pure love for the game.

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Today, OnePlus entered the Indian esports space, announcing a strategic partnership with three competitive gaming teams: Gods Reign, K9, and Cincinnati Kids. The move marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to building a ‘gaming-first ecosystem’ that combines product innovation with grassroots-level engagement in India’s booming mobile gaming sector.

Unlike traditional sponsorships, OnePlus aims to integrate directly with the esports ecosystem, using insights from professional players to guide product development.

• Players from each partnered team will provide real-time feedback on device performance during gameplay.
• Feedback will be used to optimize critical gaming metrics, including frame rates, power efficiency, thermal management, and input latency.
• OnePlus says the focus is on building devices that perform under real tournament conditions, aligning both hardware and software with gamers’ needs.

The brand emphasized that this isn’t just a promotional exercise – it’s a long-term commitment to improving the mobile gaming experience in India through active collaboration with the esports community.

The three teams will now compete under the OnePlus banner:

• OnePlus Gods Reign: Based in Bengaluru, this elite BGMI team has claimed top positions at BGIS and BGMS, and was runner-up at BMPS. In 2025, they clinched the ESL Snapdragon Pro Series title after a roster revamp.
• OnePlus K9: Known for rising through grassroots competitions, K9 has participated in tournaments like ESL BGMI Snapdragon Pro Series, Red Bull MEO, and BGIS. Their consistent performance has led to the new identity, OnePlus K9.
• OnePlus Cincinnati Kids: This team began their journey without sponsors and rose through the ranks, finishing 7th at the BGIS 2025 Grand Finals. Their underdog-to-contender transformation has earned them a strategic tie-up and rebrand as OnePlus Cincinnati Kids.

Speaking about the partnership, Marcel Campos, Director of Product Strategy at OnePlus, said, “Our community has always been central to our work. Over time, we have carefully listened to the gaming community’s demands for speed, performance, and reliability. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to gamers and represents an important step in supporting the future of mobile esports athletes.”

Alongside the partnership announcement, OnePlus showcased its gaming-optimized flagship lineup, the OnePlus 13 Series, which the company says is “built with mobile gamers in mind.”

The OnePlus 13 packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform for flagship performance, while the OnePlus 13R runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. Both phones offer advanced GPU performance and sustained frame rates alongside their Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Cooling System to manage heat under heavy loads. There’s a massive 6,000 mAh battery with 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging for extended gaming sessions with minimal downtime

OnePlus believes this three-pronged strategy – hardware innovation, grassroots partnerships, and pro-level feedback – will redefine mobile gaming in India. By aligning its product roadmap with the pulse of the esports community, OnePlus is positioning itself as a long-term player in India’s rapidly evolving gaming ecosystem.