Frequently Asked Questions: Parents

1. Why should my child participate in esports?
   Esports can develop valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, and resilience—qualities that are also nurtured through traditional sports. Let’s also be honest, young people are playing games so to give them a structured environment to compete in ….
   

2. How does esports compare to traditional sports in terms of benefits and structure?
   Like football or rugby, esports involves team practices, tournaments, and goal-setting. The main difference is the digital platform, which can be especially engaging for students who thrive in tech-based activities. Contrary to public opinion, to excel in esports it requires mental fitness but it also requires physical fitness.
   

3. Is there a risk of excessive screen time or inappropriate content?
   We promote balanced participation with supervised practice sessions and strict guidelines on acceptable game titles. Just like any extracurricular activity, time and content are carefully managed to maintain a healthy approach.
   

4. How does esports prepare my child for future opportunities?
   The digital collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills honed in esports are increasingly valuable in today’s tech-driven world. Esports can also spark interest in STEM fields and digital careers.
   

5. What about academic performance—will this distract my child from their studies?
   Properly structured, esports can complement academics by improving focus and teamwork. Schools will set limits on practice and match times to ensure academic commitments remain a priority. We would expect this to be consistent with the approach they take with extracurricular traditional sports.
   

6. Are there real pathways for my child beyond school esports?
   Yes. The Ireland Esports School Series connects to the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series, providing a pathway to continue esports at university. Top performers can even explore professional avenues, but this isn’t limited to players - there are many other roles to pursue such as Content Creators, Coaching, Analysis, Production and much more.
   

7. How does the Esports Olympics in 2027 fit into this?
   The International Olympic Committee is increasingly recognising esports. While 2027 is a few years away, the foundation your child builds now could position them for future national or international esports opportunities.
   

8. Do we need expensive equipment at home for our child to participate?
   This all comes down to the game they choose to compete in, it will more than likely be a game they’re already playing at home. Schools may have the necessary setups, and the choice of game titles we offer in the School Series will reflect the feedback we get from teachers co-ordinating esports in their school.
   

9. Who supervises my child during practices and competitions?
   We would expect that the school will arrange a suitable Coach / Manager / Supervisor, just like any other extracurricular inter-school activity.
   

10. How can I stay involved and informed about my child’s esports activities?
    Regular school communications and updates will keep you in the loop. We will have more information on national finals events as we get closer to launching the Schools Series.