St. Peter’s learners rise to national e

UNITY – St. Peter’s School is filled with enthusiasm as three Grade 5 students from the recently established e-sports club gear up to represent their school at the national level. Jaxon Bertoia, Bryson Sieben, and Max Lavoie participated in the Rocket League Canadian National Tournament on Nov. 30, competing in the under-15 category.

The young gamers secured their place following a stellar performance at the Saskatchewan provincial tournament on Oct. 26, where they achieved second place. Going up against more experienced teams, the Saints demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and a noteworthy level of cooperation that elevated them to the upper echelons.

“It’s remarkable to witness what these students have achieved in such a brief period,” stated Shayne Emond, the club’s mentor. “The e-sports club is brand new this year, and the excitement from the kids has been overwhelming. To have a team compete nationally so soon is beyond what we anticipated.”

The e-sports club at St. Peter’s focuses not only on trophy wins but also on developing essential skills. Students gain experience in teamwork, strategic planning, communication, and adaptability as they engage in games like Rocket League together. These skills overflow from the gaming screen into their academic and personal endeavors.

“We’ve noticed a genuine sense of togetherness among the kids,” Emond remarked. “They uplift one another, exchange tips, and rejoice in each other’s achievements. It’s instructing them to collaborate and solve problems in a fun and engaging environment.”

With approximately 25 members in the club, the games are played on a single Nintendo Switch gaming system. Although the students are patient and supportive of each other, the club aims to secure more devices in the forthcoming year to decrease wait times and enable a greater number of students to participate.

For Jaxon, Bryson, and Max, their journey to nationals has been exciting. The trio has dedicated countless hours to perfecting their skills during lunchtime practices, frequently analyzing strategies and gameplay footage as a team.

“We are thrilled. I’ve been training with my older brother, and I’m feeling optimistic for nationals,” said Jaxon. “I think we’ve been playing quite well together.”

The national tournament is expected to feature fierce competition from across Canada, but the Saints are resolute in their desire to deliver a strong performance. Regardless of the outcome, they’ve already made their school and community proud.

Embracing the rapid growth of the e-sports club, St. Peter’s School is welcoming this contemporary addition to its extracurricular activities. “We’re just at the beginning,” Mr. Emond expressed. “This program has revealed the substantial interest in e-sports. With additional resources, we could unleash even greater possibilities for our students.”

The Saints showcased their talents on Nov. 30, taking their skills to the national platform. The team faced off against competitors from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec in the U15 division. Despite it being a wonderful experience for the students, they were unfortunately eliminated before the quarterfinals after losing to the other schools they encountered.

“Regrettably, some of these teams have several years of experience (Grade 10 vs Grade 5), while we have only trained for a few months. They are eager to practice for next year and demonstrate that teamwork and resilience can lead to remarkable achievements — even in the digital realm,” said Emond.