LKDSB Esports

Esports in the LKDSB

The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is proud to host one of Canada's largest K-12 Esports programs, with nearly 40 schools set to participate in the 2025-2026 school year.

Our organized Esports initiative began as a pilot program in the 2022-2023 school year, launched by the LKDSB Secondary Program Department in collaboration with our IT Department. This initial phase involved three elementary and two secondary schools, providing students with diverse Esports opportunities.

Since then, LKDSB Esports has seen remarkable growth. Last year, 12 secondary schools and 27 elementary schools participated in fall and spring seasons, alongside tournaments hosted by our schools, Lambton College, and St. Clair College. This expansion has been significantly bolstered by strong partnerships with our community allies, Lambton College and St. Clair College.

What is Esports?

Esports, or electronic sports, is competitive video gaming. It involves individuals or teams battling it out in organized video game tournaments. While traditional sports focus on physical ability, esports demand mental agility, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making. Esports has become hugely popular globally, played professionally, at colleges and universities, and as a sought-after extracurricular activity in K-12 schools.

In schools, esports gives students a unique chance to compete in a safe, structured environment. It helps them develop crucial skills like teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. Beyond showcasing gaming talent, it opens doors to a wide range of scholarship and career opportunities.

Here at the LKDSB, our Esports program primarily uses Nintendo Switch for competition, ensuring a secure and controlled gaming experience. Students compete in:

Mario Kart
Rocket League
Super Smash Bros.

Benefits of Esports

The benefits of students participating in Esports are numerous. Research has shown that Esports can help to increase school attendance and engagement, have a positive impact on student self-esteem, increase focus in class, and lead to improved academic performance. Other benefits may include improved attitude, collaborative skills and an increased drive to be successful.

Feedback from LKDSB students and coaches:

“Our ESports team has brought together students from diverse backgrounds. It has created a sense of belonging and community within our school! We are so grateful for this opportunity.”

“Esports has once again provided an opportunity for students who don't normally get to be in leadership roles to represent the school…it provided a space for students who normally wouldn't have somewhere to eat lunch to come and be social and hang out with other students while watching.”

“There was a student who often struggled to connect with others. They struggled to have the courage but each day, they still came to our E-Sports lunchtime meetings, drawn to play with others, even if they sometimes only watched. Their consistent effort to be present, to simply show up, slowly but surely helped to make new connections. It was a quiet testament to their desire for belonging, and a reminder that presence alone can make a positive impact.”

Upcoming Events

More details on event dates for 2025-2026 will be shared in September.

Fall LKDSB Esports Season (Fall 2025)
LKDSB Esports Tournament @ St. Clair College (November 2025)
Lambton College Esports Invitational @ Lambton College (April 2026)
Spring LKDSB Esports Season (Spring 2026)

Participating Schools

Elementary Schools

A. A. Wright Public School

Bosanquet Central Public School

Brigden Public School

Bright's Grove Public School

Brooke Central Public School

Cathcart Boulevard Public School

Dresden Area Central School

East Lambton Elementary School

Errol Road Public School

Grand Bend Public School

Gregory Drive Public School

High Park Public School

Hillcrest Public School

King George VI Public School - Chatham

Lambton Centennial Public School

London Road School

McNaughton Avenue Public School

Merlin Area Public School

P.E. McGibbon Public School

Queen Elizabeth II Public School - Petrolia

Queen Elizabeth II School - Sarnia

Ridgetown District High School 7&8

Rosedale Public School

Sir John Moore Community School

Tecumseh Public School

Victor Lauriston Public School

Wallaceburg District Secondary School 7&8

Wheatley Area Public School

Zone Township Central School

Secondary Schools

Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School

Blenheim District High School

Chatham Kent Secondary School

Great Lakes Secondary School

John McGregor Secondary School

Lambton Central Collegiate and Vocational Institute

Lambton Kent Composite School

North Lambton Secondary School

Northern Collegiate and Vocational Institute

Ridgetown District High School

Tilbury District High School

Wallaceburg District Secondary School