McDowell County Schools Launch Free E-sports Team With Transportation

On Jan. 5, McDowell County Schools opened registration for a district-run e-sports program aimed at students interested in competitive gaming, teamwork and strategy. The program will hold practices three days a week, Mondays through Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and will prepare athletes for match play against teams across the state.

Participation carries no cost, and the district said daily transportation will be provided from both high schools to the Career Tech Center, with routes home available in most areas. Eligibility for the team will include a review of student behavior data as part of the athlete selection process. Training will be structured around team play, strategy and competition readiness to support students during interschool matches.

For students who want to join, registration is open through each school or the district website. The program is designed to be accessible to families who might otherwise face barriers to extracurricular participation, with free enrollment and transportation intended to reduce cost and travel obstacles common in rural communities.

Local public health and education experts say after-school programs can play a role in youth well-being by offering safe, supervised activities and opportunities for social connection. A regularly scheduled, team-based extracurricular like e-sports can engage students who may be less involved in traditional athletics, build technical and collaborative skills, and provide structured time that keeps young people connected to school and peers.

At the same time, the use of behavior data in the selection process raises equity questions for a county with high levels of economic and social vulnerability. How behavior is defined, how supports are provided for students with disciplinary histories, and whether alternative pathways to participation will be offered are policy details that affect which young people can benefit. Clear, transparent eligibility criteria and supportive interventions would help ensure the program expands opportunity rather than unintentionally excluding students who need positive engagement the most.

The Career Tech Center location also suggests potential linkages between extracurricular technology programs and career pathways for students interested in gaming-related industries, digital media or IT. As the district moves forward, aligning the e-sports team with broader workforce and educational supports could strengthen long-term benefits for McDowell County youth.

Students should register through their school or the district website to participate. The program’s combination of structured practice, transportation, and no cost aims to make competitive e-sports an accessible after-school option for the county’s high school students.