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Fairfax County Public Schools launched its first middle school esports season this spring, giving students at Key Middle School, Robinson Secondary School, and Hughes Middle School a new way to compete for their schools.

At Key, roughly a dozen boys gather after classes on Thursdays to face middle school teams from as far away as Michigan. Although esports already has a place in Virginia High School League competition, FCPS had not previously offered it at the middle school level.

Justin Walker, an eighth-grade physical science teacher and Key’s esports adviser, said the program provides a needed competitive opportunity at an age when students have relatively few school sports options.

After seeking interested students in early March, Key formed two six-player teams. Its Rocket League squad, competing in a computer game that resembles soccer played with rocket-powered cars, has posted a 5-3 record. The school’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team, which competes on Nintendo Switch systems, stands at 1-6.

Eighth grader Arman Bhuiyan already played Rocket League at home but initially hesitated to join the team. Encouragement from his parents and his connection with Walker, one of his favorite teachers, helped persuade him.

Arman practices at school on Thursdays and estimates that he spends another 90 minutes training over the weekend. He said representing Key gives the game greater significance because the team has an official record. The experience has also helped him build friendships with students in other grades.

Teammate Jhoan Gonzalez, another eighth grader, sees similarities between Rocket League and traditional soccer. Both require players to understand their teammates’ abilities, communicate effectively, and work together to win, he said.

Seventh grader Caiden Brown was also surprised that his parents supported his participation. While he normally must finish his homework and chores before playing video games, they approved of the school team because it allows him to meet people and make new friends.

Walker said the students bonded faster than he expected despite taking different classes, having few teachers in common, and sometimes being in different grades. Team members now greet one another in the hallways and have developed friendships beyond the club.

For Walker, that social connection is one of the program’s biggest successes. He had hoped esports would encourage students to try something new, form friendships, and become more connected to their school community—the same benefits often associated with traditional athletics.