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Date: 9/20/2023
LUDLOW — The Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club has launched a survey to receive feedback for its new esports lab that they are currently constructing.
The survey looks to find out who would be interested in joining an esport, events that people would be interested in watching, esports positions you would like to learn about, what you would want to get from the program, what type of gamer you are and what games do you play/enjoy.
Ludlow Boys and Girls STEAM Coordinator John Regan said, “Part of why we are doing the survey before we finalized everything is we want to make sure the kids get a say in what the program is going to be. When you are a teenager you want some independence. Another part of the survey is what you are actually interested in. We want to know if you just want to come in a watch tournament or do you want to compete.”
As the STEAM coordinator for the club, Regan said he is responsible for creating a fun, safe and engaging environment for middle school and high school youth through planning and implementation of programs, events and workshops.
He will also be overseeing and maintaining the makerspace and upcoming esports lab.
The survey can be found at tinyurl.com/kbkjs28a.
Regan is hoping the lab will be done by the fall and will be looking to have a grand opening with a Super Smash Bros. tournament.
“We are setting up the esports lab as we speak. We are getting the systems in and the equipment. Our hope is with the survey we can get a feel for what kind of games the kids are already playing so we can meet them there.”
Currently the Boys and Girls Club does not have any teen programs, so the hope is that this new lab will attract teens to the center.
Regan added, “We’re setting up an esports program because we have a lot of great kids here at the club but a lot of them sort of filter out when they become teenagers and we would like to keep them in the community and stay connected and video games is where kids are at right now.”
There will be multiple gaming systems including three gaming PC’s, two Nintendo Switches, three Xboxes and new monitors.
Regan said, “The hope is to create a place where kids can come and safely play video games. It’s a safe place for kids to do what they are already doing and make sure that they are learning something along the way.”
Besides looking for input on specific video games, the survey looks to find out what teens would like to do in the lab like participate on a team or be a spectator.
Esports is a growing industry where gamers can individually or as part of a team take part in an organized competition in an electronic game.
“The nice thing about this is it isn’t kids playing games mindlessly for hours. This is much more like traditional athletic programs. It helps to develop fine motor skills, strategic planning, social and emotional skills and teamwork,” Regan added.
There are also other roles besides competing on the team like being a strategist, commentator or graphic designer.
Regan will look to have competitions and tournaments within the community or against other Boys and Girls Clubs in the country who also have an esports program.
“One of our goals is to make sure that everyone who wants to come feels welcomed because especially in the world of video games there tends to be not a lot of diversity and sometime people don’t feel comfortable. The survey will help with what people are actually into and that we are serving everyone in our community.”
Regan said you can check for updates on the program and construction of the esports lab at ludlowbgc.org.