For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Medway High School Launches Esports Team

MEDWAY — For the first time, student video game enthusiasts at Medway High School are competing and honing their skills together as an official esports team.

Six students have joined the school’s esports team, which was formed this winter after freshman Gustavo Mercier approached administrators with the idea. At the time, science teacher David Perry had just launched a general video game club, which easily transitioned into an official esports team.

Esports is organized, competitive video-gaming. The team at Medway plays “League of Legends,” a popular PC game, against other teams from high schools throughout Massachusetts. In “League of Legends,” each team is comprised of five players who select a character, called a champion, who has unique abilities and skills. Players then select one of five roles to play in the game and are challenged to destroy “minions” by collecting “gold” and taking down their opponent’s defensive structures, all while trying not to be stopped by the opposing team.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) sanctioned esports in an official league in fall 2018.

“My favorite thing about mentoring this club has been watching the members help one another out and truly develop a team identity,” Perry said. “Our skills improve with each week and so does the team’s camaraderie. The amount of laughter and intense “oohs” and “ahhs” that fill our room during practice and game day is really wonderful. We hope the team will continue to flourish and grow larger in the near future.”

Two players on Medway’s esports team have played more than 120 combined hours on “League of Legends” as they have worked to improve their skills. Other members are new to the game, and are being mentored by teammates.

The team meets multiple times a week to practice and play against each other.

“This team offers a great opportunity for our students who are passionate about video gaming to come together, share their interests, strengthen their skills and compete,” Superintendent Armand Pires said. “I commend them for coming forward and sharing their desire to create this team, and I look forward to watching the group continue to succeed.”

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