The esports team at Westside Secondary School took home the silver medal during the Fortnite Fall Showdown provincial championships on Saturday, November 16.
Hosted by the Ontario School Esports Association (OSEA), the event was open to all schools in Ontario with students above the age of 13.
Westside Media & Technology Teacher Lachlan Mackintosh oversaw the event as the team competed in multiple online rounds of Fortnite Battle Royal Duos.
“So proud of these guys! The tournament was an awesome experience. They did an amazing job,” Mr. Mackintosh said.
"We would have won gold if we won one more round," added Silver Medalist Josiah Thomas-Griffith.
Members of the Westside SS esports team (L to R): Ethan Smith, Wolfe MacKay-Stubbington, Josiah Thomas Griffith, Josh Knight, Noah Powell, Jakeb Cluley
Along with Westside, Orangeville District Secondary School is currently the only other school within the UGDSB with an esports team. That could soon change thanks to support from the board and the SHSM program, as well as sponsor TeamGeerzy.
Founded by former Westside student Gavin Gear, TeamGeerzy is a leading game development company working exclusively in Fortnite Creative.
“Video games and esports have greatly impacted the direction of my life,” Gavin said. “[Under] Mr. Mack's direction I was confident the same would occur for others. Congratulations to the team's recent success.”
According to an EdTech article from 2022, schools with esports programs found that “competitive gaming not only prepares students for careers, but also increases student engagement.”
“We’ve had athletes and nonathletes. We’ve had musically inclined and those who can’t carry a tune. We’ve had students with and without disabilities. Esports is bringing them all together,” Jacob Dees, instructional technology and esports coach for Apollo Junior High School in Richardson, Texas, was quoted in the article.
While the next Fornite tournament for Westside is not until the spring, the team is currently competing in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate season with the provincial finals happening on December 14.