Esports in Education: How NASEF is equipping leaders for global growth 

As esports continues to expand, it’s important to develop a workforce of well-prepared youth who are passionate about gaming and eager to build the industry.

NASEF, the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, is a not-for-profit NGO (non-governmental organisation) that facilitates growth in scholastic esports. Over its seven-year history, NASEF has earned the respect of educators, esports federations, corporations and media organisations.

These stakeholders turn to NASEF for guidance in navigating the scholastic esports landscape, structuring programmes that drive youth development, workforce readiness and industry growth.

Esports provides educators with an engaging platform to gamify learning through immersive experiential student engagement. Ultimately, this leads to fostering teamwork, leadership and digital literacy, as well as career-specific skills. NASEF builds and maintains a global community where educators share best practices and curricula, through both the Scholastic Fellow program and its network of affiliates around the world.

NASEF partners with thousands of organisations, and currently has more than 100 designated global affiliates spanning all the continents from members across the United States, to NASEF Japan and NASEF China to NASEF Europe in collaboration with the Adriatic Esports Federations led by Montenegro. NASEF also has affiliates on the African continent with  Ruckus Media (South Africa), Zimbabwe, Kenya Ghana and Gambia, to name a few, all bolstering the connection of Play and Learning through scholastic esports.

Notably, NASEF aims to simplify the integration of esports into curricula and afterschool programmes by offering free resources, including frameworks and toolkits evaluated and assessed by third parties such as the University of California, AISTS and City of Busan. 

For more in-depth guidance and training , educators can become NASEF-certified General Managers and Coaches through online Academy courses. School districts have also requested custom professional development to establish cohesive programmes that blend competitive play with academic growth.

Education media company Tech & Learning has collaborated with NASEF since 2020. This partnership has produced articles and professional development events that guide educators in implementing esports effectively. 

“NASEF has consistently connected us with innovative esports speakers and experts that provide tactical advice our audience can put into practice,” noted Christine Weiser, Content and Brand Director for Tech & Learning.

Whilst it’s crucial to work alongside educational institutions, it’s equally important to connect with esports organisations and federations. Creating a bridge between the esports and education sectors allows for both sides to gain a deeper understanding of how these two industries can benefit and collaborate. NASEF has developed a methodology to help the field build capacity and create community leading to sustainable impact.     

As such, NASEF is the education partner of both the Global Esports Federation and the International Esports Federation (IESF).

IESF partners with NASEF to equip its 140+ member federations with the tools to build scholastic esports programmes. At events like the World Esports Summit, NASEF leads workshops that help member nations develop initiatives fostering learning, building capacity and providing social and economic impact.

NASEF’s approach also provides growth opportunities for technology companies. Schools and afterschool programmes are investing in upgraded computer labs to support esports and STEAM programmes. Companies that align their business strategies with scholastic esports can benefit from modernising their educational opportunities, attracting digital-savvy audiences, and contributing to future esports talent pipelines.

Gerald Solomon, NASEF’s Executive Director, has frequently discussed the growth of scholastic esports communities. At the recent Global Sources Consumer Tech Conference in Hong Kong, where over 40,000 attendees explored tech innovations, Solomon underscored how NASEF’s initiatives positively impact the industry—from workforce education to corporate ROI.

NASEF’s insights are also valued at major events like the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC). 

Jennifer Womble, FETC’s Conference Chair, highlighted NASEF’s contributions, including Esports Guides for K-12 administrators and curated content that connects educational leaders with the esports industry. 

“Working with NASEF brings exceptional value to any institution committed to advancing esports in education,” Womble noted.

“NASEF’s partnership with FETC has been invaluable; they have guided the development of Esports Guides tailored for K-12 administrators and curated content sessions and speakers, enriching conference programming and bridging the gap between educational administrators and the burgeoning esports landscape.”

Through global partnerships, practical resources and innovative approaches, NASEF is creating opportunities for students, educators and industry and corporate leaders. 

By blending learning and play, NASEF’s scholastic esports programmes foster essential skills like teamwork, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and problem-solving. Moreover, the organisation aims to provide experience in career areas across the esports ecosystem and beyond. According to NASEF, this comprehensive approach not only supports the growth of the esports industry, but also prepares youth to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.