Esports

Join the Special Olympics New York Esports Community!

All Athletes and Unified Partners Welcome

We invite you to become part of the Special Olympics New York Gaming Community—a fun, inclusive space where athletes and Unified partners can connect, build friendships, and enjoy video games together.

Join the Special Olympics New York Esports Community!

All Athletes and Unified Partners Welcome

We invite you to become part of the Special Olympics New York Gaming Community—a fun, inclusive space where athletes and Unified partners can connect, build friendships, and enjoy video games together.

Our goal is to foster a vibrant online community centered around Esports and virtual gaming. Organized and led by our dedicated Special Olympics New York Esports athletes, this initiative is designed to bring people together through shared gaming experiences.

Each month, our Esports athlete leaders circulate a poll to all members of the community. The most popular game selected in the poll becomes the focus of that month’s Game Night—a fun and friendly virtual gathering held via Discord.

Athletes must meet the minimum requirements for participation in virtual Special Olympics activities (i.e., be a registered Special Olympics New York athlete or Unified Partner and have a signed Esports Code of Conduct).

Participants must have access to a stable internet connection.

Participants must own a gaming console or PC. Participants must be able to create a Discord account, including a username and password, using a smartphone or tablet. Usernames must be appropriate. Registrations with missing or inappropriate usernames will not be accepted.
Video games offer the following benefits:
  • Cognitive – Multiple studies have found that video games strengthen a wide range of cognitive skills including problem-solving, spatial attention, multi-tasking, and short term and long- term memory.
  • Communicative – Cooperative video games require teammates to communicate effectively in order to achieve their best. Clear communication is essential, especially because many video game players are not playing together in-person.
  • Emotional – Similar to traditional sports, players enjoy the positive feelings of well-earned victories and learn to manage the negative feelings of disappointing losses.
  • Social – Despite stereotypes portraying gamers as socially isolated individuals, gamers prefer playing with other people. For teens, gaming is a primary way to interact with peers.

How to Join:

 

To become a part of the community, please complete the interest form linked below. After completing, Special Olympics New York staff will follow up if any additional paperwork is required for access to the Discord server and monthly game nights.

Fill out the Interest form