Mission
A nonprofit founded by educators, Garden State Esports is the organizing body of scholastic esports for New Jersey. Our mission is to create high-quality, student-centered experiences through scholastic esports so ALL students can use esports as a platform to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
Vision
GSE envisions a future where esports, like traditional sports, is recognized as a key contributor to positive youth development. We aim to lead this change, adapting to the evolving needs of our students and community. Our commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and comprehensive education in esports distinguishes us as a leader in the scholastic esports field.
Values
We cultivate a community that is not simply diverse but genuinely inclusive, where every individual feels valued and has equal opportunities to thrive. 97% of our participants report making at least one new friend and 93% report now having a sense of belonging at school because of esports. More than 75% of students report coming to school more often and trying harder in class because of esports.
Why Join Garden State Esports?
Impact
Garden State Esports stands at the forefront of integrating esports into educational settings, leveraging the immense popularity of gaming to foster educational and life skills in students. As the largest scholastic esports league in the country, GSE uniquely combines the thrill of competitive gaming with impactful educational programming.
Locally Grown. Nationally Known.
Everyone at GSE is an educator. Together we have 400+ years combined teaching experience. We know your schools, we know your kids, and we know how to help make esports meet the learning goals of your school district.
Local Competition Using a Familiar Schedule
Our 3:30 start time and three-season schedule follows the traditional NJ athletic schedule that schools and students already know. We group teams into their traditional athletic conferences to make sure they play against schools they’ve heard of!
Preparing Students For the Future
GSE recognizes the massive career opportunities for students in and around the gaming industry, especially in New Jersey, and equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this dynamic field. Students gain valuable insights into career fields such as game design, entrepreneurship, broadcasting, virtual production, and interactive 3D preparing them for a range of in-demand, lucrative career opportunities.
Supported By The NJ DoE and School Boards Association
We are proud to have the support of the NJ Dept. of Education, New Jersey School Boards Association, and many other NJ-based organizations.
Esports Helps Give Kids A Sense Of Belonging:
97
% of participants report making at least one new friend through esports.
66
% of participants are more likley to go to school since joining esports.
42
% of parcipants who don't do anything but esports at their school,
Competition For Everyone: Three Ways To Get In The Game With GSE
1. Play a 7-week regular season against schools in your conference, earn a varsity letter, and win a state championship by entering your best team into our Championship Leagues, our highest level of play!
Fall Championships: 9/12 – 10/26
Tuesday – 3v3 Rocket League
Wednesday – Super Smash Bros. Crews
Thursday – League of Legends
Winter Championships: 12/5 – 2/1
Tuesday – Omega Strikers
Wednesday – Street Fighter 6
Thursday – Overwatch 2
Spring Championships:3/5 – 4/25
Tuesday – 2v2 Rocket League
Wednesday – 2v2 Super Smash Bros.
Thursday – Valorant
2. Contender Leagues are for JV teams or teams looking for more casual competition. Seasons are 5 weeks with unlimited participation per school!
Fall Contenders: 9/19 – 10/24
Tuesday – 3v3 Rocket League
Wednesday – Super Smash Crews
Thursday – Omega Strikers
Winter Contenders: 12/12 – 2/1
Tuesday – Splatoon 3
Wednesday – Chess
Thursday – Overwatch 2
Spring Contenders: 3/12 – 4/30
Tuesday – 2v2 Rocket League
Wednesday – 2v2 SSBU
Thursday – Valorant
3. Garden State Esports offers additional leagues to help grew diversity throughout our programs.
Valkyrie League
Valkyrie League is an additional competitive league open to GSE girls, marginalized genders, and non-binary persons.
Fall – SSBU – Thursdays
Winter – Overwatch 2 – Wednesdays
Spring – Valorant – Wednesdays
Unified Leaue
Additonal opportunites for players with special needs to game with peers.
Tuesdays: After school Rocket League 3v3
Weekly: During or after school Mario Kart Time Trials
We Provide
Casual & Competitive Gaming For All Ages
Varsity Letters & State Championships
Cutting Edge Curricula That Extends Beyond The Classroom
Getting Started & Technical Resources
Coaching Support & Certification
A Diverse, Inclusive Community Ready To Help
Esports Can Be A Pipeline To College and Career Readiness For All NJ Students:
87
% of participants who plan on attending college
54
% of participants who plan to major in STEM
67
% of participants that plan to work in the esports or video game industry
Where We Are
14
Big North Conference
9
Burlington County Conference
26
Cape Atlantic Conference
6
Colonial Conference
13
Colonial Valley Conference
270
Total Programs
16
Greater Middlesex Conference
12
Hudson County Conference
10
North Jersey Conference
18
North West Jersey Conference
17
Olympic Conference
52
% Of NJ School Districts
42
The Shore Conference
13
The Skyland Conference
13
Super Essex Conference
8
Tri-County Conference
54
Union County Conference
7000+
Students
Whether your district is looking to get started or already has an established esports program, join us for free and compete against other New Jersey schools in daily casual competition or to earn a varsity letter. During the 2022-2023 school year alone, schools saved over $1.3 million in for-profit league dues by joining Garden State Esports!
Join Us!
Thank You To Our Partners!
